Australian woman in Lombok drugs case

Barbara Kathleen Higgs of Western Australia, appeared in court in Lombok today, accused of drug possesion. The 43 years old former Pinjarra local, was caught with 50 grams of marijuana in February.

Mrs Higgs co-owns a guesthouse, Bulan Baru, in Senggigi, the main touresit town in Lombok. According to The Age, she bought the drugs from a ‘friend’. Some friend, she could face a maximum of 10 years in jail. Mrs Higgs is being held in Mataram and must wonder what the heck happened.

I have been to Lombok twice, once to Gili Trawangan, and once across the middle of the island and along the south coast by motorbike. During my time in the Gili’s, I didn’t see any cops. During my ride around Lombok, I only had 1 interaction with the cops, who offered me to join them underneath their bale, one hot afternoon. When you leave Bali on the ferry, you will get hit up for money, the reason being your registration doesn’t cover Lombok. On the Lombok side, no one bothers you.

However, my impression of Sengigi and Bangsal, where the boat sails for the Gili’s was that each attracted, or at least encouraged a more sly attitude. In Senggigi I had touts wanting to be my friend and calling out. You can sense when there is an atmosphere of shiftiness and Senggigi has got some of that.

Let’ hope the best for Mrs Higgs.