Bedugul geothermal project still faces uncertainty

The governor of Bali, Dewa Made Baratha, has said that he was still uncertain whether or not the controversial geothermal power project in Bedugul can be continued, although a number of non-governmental organizations in the province have supported the continuation of the project, Kompas reported on Tuesday.

The governor admitted that it would not be easy for him to make a final decision on the fate of the geothermal project because many people areb still opposed the project. He, however, said that the final decision would be made only after he received the recommendation from the province's environmental impact supervision agency which is conducting its study on the project.

The Balinese people are divided over the fate of the Bedugul geothermal project which has been delayed for years due to opposition from a number of environmental advocacy agencies.

The association of villagers in Bali has recently expressed their support on the project but the most influential organizations in the province such as religious organization Parisda Hindu Dharma still strongly opposes the resumption of the project. (*)