The Communications and Information Ministry has issued an appeal for internet service providers to shut down nonessential operations in Bali during Nyepi, the Day of Silence, which falls on Saturday.

“We hope the [internet service] providers can support this according to their capacity,” Director General of Post and Informatics Management Ahmad M. Ramli said in Central Jakarta on Wednesday.

An official ministry letter has asked providers to shut down operations in Bali for 24 hours from 6 a.m. on Saturday to 6.00 a.m. on Sunday, except for internet connections for public services and emergencies. Telephone and short text message services will still operate normally. The decision was made in response to Bali's Religious Council appeal ahead of the Day of Silence.

Balinese Hindus will observe four abstentions during Nyepi: amati geni (abstaining from lighting fires), amati karya (abstaining from work), amati lelungan (abstaining from traveling outside the family compound) and amati lelanguan (abstaining from entertainment).

Previously, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika had said shutting down internet operations was crucial to prevent people seeking entertainment online during their abstinence.

Broadcast media, including radio and television will also stop operating during this time. (gis/evi)