Australia Praises the Measure of Bali to Clean Up Plastic Waste

Denpasar, 6/19 (Atnews) - The efforts and actions of Governor of Bali Wayan Koster to clean up the nature of the island from plastic waste have received praise and appreciation from Australia.

This was revealed by Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, when receiving an audience for the Australian Consul General in Bali, Anthea Griffin, in the office of Bali Governor, Denpasar, on Tuesday morning (Jun. 18). This was the first meeting of Consul General Griffin after being appointed to replace Helena Studdert last March.

In addition to introductions, the meeting also discussed about several issues in the fields of tourism, culture, trade, environment and tourism.

The most prominent conversations were around environmental issues. The Australian Consul General was impressed with the efforts of Governor Wayan Koster who has taken part in overcoming the problem of garbage in Bali, especially plastic waste.

“I am very happy when shopping in a supermarket, where beans and chili are wrapped in banana leaves,” said Griffin.

He said the Australian government is interested in being able to get involved in the efforts to overcome the garbage problem in Bali. According to him, his party has been involved in educational programs at several hotels and villages in Bali.

Responding to that, Governor of Bali Wayan Koster said that after banning the use of disposable plastics, he is preparing a waste management regulation so that garbage in Bali can be completed from the sources.

“Organic garbage is attempted to have been finished at village level, while inorganic one is managed by single party,” said the governor who is also the Chairperson of the PDI-P Bali. He welcomed if there is a program that can synergize with the Bali provincial government to create a clean Balinese nature in accordance with the vision known as Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali.

Governor Koster said that the relationship between Bali and Australia had been established for a long time, so he hoped the relationship could even be improved.

Aside from environmental issues, Consul General Griffin also appreciated to the parade implementation of the Bali Arts Festival that he witnessed on Saturday (Jun. 15). Griffin hoped that next year Australia can participate in the Bali Arts Festival.

Additionally, Consul General Griffin also hoped that tourists from Australia can be more in touch with Balinese customs and culture, in addition to their hobbies in surfing and vacationing at hotels as they should.

In the field of trade, Consul General Griffin hoped that bilateral agreements in the economic field between Indonesia and Australia (IA-CEPA) can be immediately ratified, so that it will have an impact on trade cooperation between Bali and Australia.

“Relations between our countries are already strong. Now, we want to improve people-to-people relations,” concluded Griffin. (*)