"In Bali, driving electric vehicles on Nyepi Day is not advised, but exceptions (will be made) for those who give birth and are sick. There will be customary village security officers (pecalang) guarding (the roads),” the head of road traffic at the office, I Putu Sutaryana, said here on Friday.
During the Hindu Day of Seclusion, Hindus in Bali need to comply with the Catur Brata Penyepian, which contains four don'ts: Amati Geni (no fire, no light, and no electricity), Amati Karya (no work), Amati Lelungan (no travel), Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment), he emphasized.
In 2022, the Bali Transportation Office collaborated with the private sector to provide electric motorcycles to customary villages in Denpasar. Pecalangs are allowed to ride e-motorcycles for patrolling during Nyepi.
The use of electric motorcycles was considered appropriate because they do not produce pollution and noise, and they align with the government's efforts to accelerate the switch to EVs.
Even though there has been no provision of electric motorcycles to customary villages in 2023, villages that can afford them and have them can use them for patrolling, Sutaryana said.
"(The policy also applies to) airplanes, as Nyepi Day is only (observed) once a year, and it can (help) save electricity. This is not for anyone, but only our Balinese people," he added.
Sutaryana said that not just land, air and sea transportation to and from Bali will also be restricted for 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Wednesday (March 22, 2023) to 6 a.m. Thursday (March 23).
Exceptions will be made for vehicles carrying the sick, expecting mothers about to give birth, or other emergencies, based on local traditions and wisdom.
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Translator: Muliantari, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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