Bali police back off in hotel dispute

Under the headline Mob 1, Police 0, Bali Update (www.balidiscovery.com) has reported that 300 law enforcement officers, accompanied by court officials, were forcibly prevented from executing a court order on the Hotel Bali Kuta Residence last week.

The police and court officials were barred from taking over the hotel complex by what local media said were hundreds of "muscled men" wearing white ribbons.

Police officials, fearing an escalation in violence and a breakdown in civil order, stayed behind roadblocks set up on the hotel access road and manned by the men.

The police, wearing full anti-riot gear, took a position some 100 metres from the BKR Hotel while talks were held between the hotel's owners and police chiefs.

A police commissioner was reported as saying that his officers were only performing their assigned duties and had no desire to enter into open combat with members of the local community.

The judicial seizure of the BKR Hotel is linked to the bankruptcy of the property's developer and efforts by creditors to assume control of the investment.

Both the bankruptcy and the decision of the Surabaya Commercial Court surrendering control of the hotel to the creditors are being resisted and under judicial appeal.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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