Bali Bombing & Interviews

Update on Executions for Bali Bombers

There seems to have been progress in the Attorney General's Office with regards to the pending execution of the Bali bombers. The office is now preparing to execute three convicted Bali bombers and 16 drug traffickers sentenced to death for their offences.

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Militant Warns of More Attacks: Indonesia

The President SBY has an all out assault on terrorism in Indonesia in an effort to stamp it out and rid the country of radicalist Muslims. But,l they do not have any intentions, or so it seems, of outlawing the radical Islamic party Jemaah Islamiah.

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Execution Sought for Bali Bombers:Jakarta, Indonesia

It appears Indonesian prosecutors have sought permission from the justice minister to execute the three Bali bombers on death row. How many times have we heard this. The whole issue is like some long drawn out soapie drama.

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SBY Fights Terrorism: Indonesia

According to SBY, Muslims should help solve global problems including terrorism and reach out to the rest of the globe if they want to be understood.

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Bashir Travel Ban: Jakarta, Indonesia

It seems the Indonesian Government has come to its senses and decided to impose an international travel ban on Abu Bakar Bashir according to a report in the Jakarta Post. This is because of the militant cleric's inclusion on the UN's consolidated list of terrorists.

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Bashir and a Double Insult: Indonesia

I read an article in the Daily Telegraph yesterday and became so irate that I almost choked on my coffee. Radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir said that those killed in the 2002 Bali bombings had been destined to die by God and the families they have left behind should now convert to Islam.

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Governments Want Monitoring of Bashir: Indonesia

A lot of politicians from numerous countries have voiced their opinions on the recent release of Islamic cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. Most would like to see the Indonesian government watch his every move and those voicing the loudest were the United States and of course Australia.

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Anger at the Release of Bashir: Indonesia

I could never come to near to imagining how the parents and family members of the Bali bombing victims feel about the release of Abu Bakar Bashir yesterday.

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Abu Bakar Bashir Freed Today: Jakarta, Indonesia

After reclining and relaxing in a comfy jail cell for the last 25 months of his life convicted cleric Abu Bakar Bashir walked free today. Many westerners are angered at this short sentence for his role in the 2002 Bali bombings in Kuta, Bali and rightly so.

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Downer Voices Concern over Bashir: Indonesia

No country should, in my opinion, stick their noses in another country's business or affairs. But, it seems this is happening in a very subtle way, or is it a diplomatic way. Australia is concerned over the ability of Indonesia to keep cleric Abu Bakar Bashir in check.

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Ba'asyir Free Next Week: Java, Indonesia

Next week the ageing cleric Abu Bakar Basyir will be released from jail after being incarcerated for two and a half years for his part in the first Bali bombing.

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Anatomy of a Disaster: Indonesia

I could not even comprehend how bad it would feel it to actually be in the midst of a disaster like that which has recently occurred in Yogyakarta. Mixed emotions I suppose would be ploughing through my body and thoughts.

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Bali Bomber Knew of Attack: Bali

A man accused of involvement in last year's suicide bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali admitted in court he knew about the plot one day before the attacks were carried out.

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Talking to Hamid: Bali Bomb survivor

Back in 2003 I did many interviews with Balinese locals, who were in the location of the Paddy's and Sari Club bombings. It was obvious that most were shaken up, and really still in the recovery process. One lady I talked to named Nita, worked in Sixth Sense surf shop, on Poppies II . The night of the Sari Club bombing she and her husband were working. He managed to get his motorbike and they headed to Poppies I intending to get to the beach. She said he felt faint, and when she checked he had a 10 inch gash in his back, 1 inch deep. He went to Sanglah hospital in Denpasar, where he was recovering.

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Bali Bombing 2002

Bali Bomb I in 2002 caused a massive amount of human casualties, collateral damage and economic pain for Bali. I arrived in Bali on Jan 2nd 2003, not long after the event. Not knowing where the Sari Club or Paddy's were, I passed the site many time before figuring it out.

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Bali Bombing sites in Kuta: An uncertain future

Bali Bomb I in Kuta, targeted the Sari Club and Paddy's on Jl. Legian. Over the last 3 year there have been an assortment of plans to develop these areas, none of which have produced anything concrete. Up to this point in time both lots are vacant with dirt, Paddy's had banana trees growing there to keep away evil spirits.

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Interviews in Kuta Bali: Martin & Jenny

Martin & Jenny
From Sweden
Met them in Palu's surfboard shop on Poppies II in Kuta.

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Bombing interviews in Kuta Square Bali: Mega

Meter & Mega:(Mega right).
Work at Roxy clothes shop directly across the street from Raja's restaurant in Kuta Square.

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Bombing interviews in Kuta Square Bali: Ari

Ari(at left).
From: Nusa Dua Bali
Works at the massage place next to Matahari department store.

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Checking in with Bali Peace Park frontman Dallas Finn in Kuta Bali

Bali Peace Park front-man Dallas Finn has lived in Bali for the last year and a half and spends his time campaigning for his project, which is to develop the sites of the Sari Club and Paddys for a memorial site. Dallas has recently returned from Australia and Jakarta. Here is the latest on his projects.

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Interview with Dallas Finn from Bali Peace Park in Kuta Bali

This is a follow up interview I did with Dallas Finn following a previous interview in which he told me about his plans for Bali Peace Park.

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Meeting Dallas from 'Bali Peace Park' in Seminyak Bali

The Bali bombing of 2002 has had a massive effect on the island and its people. Business has suffered and locals are now aware that their economy is not indestructable.

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Businesses recovering from effects of the bombing

I arrived in Bali on January 2nd 2003 less than 3 months after the bombings at Paddys and the Sari Club.

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News items surrounding the bombings in Bali

There is a lot of attention right now on the situation here in Indonesia regarding the potential for terrorism surrounding the bombing trials.

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Reactions to the bombing verdict in Kuta Bali

Today I went down to Poppies Lane on Kuta to distribute a few of our t-shirts to high profile shop workers and to get online.

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Amrozi convicted in Denpasar Bali

This was a great day for justice as the first of th Bali bombers was convicted and sentenced to death by the Denpasar court.

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Latest from the Bombing trial in Denpasar Bali

I have not been keeping up with the happenings in the trail of the the Bali bombers figuring either one of 2 things will happen.

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Bombing victim erupts at Bali trial

Saw this in The Australian newspaper this morning:

Bombing victim erupts at Bali trial

Nick and I watched about 10 minutes of the trial during our trip out to Uluwatu and the types of questions they were asking of the Australian witness on the stand were ridiculous.

Mr Jacko from The Board Shop Poppies II Kuta

Name: Mr Jacko

Age: 32

Place of work: The Board Shop

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Miss Katut Swastini from Lady Travel, Poppies II Kuta

Name: Miss Katut Swastini

Age: 26

Place of work: Lady Travel, Poppies II

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Mr Iwan from Yulia, Poppies II Kuta

Name: Mr Iwan

Age: 41

Place of work: Yulia

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Miss Ribka from Sri Kusama Hotel Legian

Name:Miss Ribka

Age:23

Place of work:Sri Kusama Hotel Legian

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Miss Nyoman Soladi from Dunkin Donuts on Jalan Legian

Name:Miss Nyoman Soladi

Place of work:Dunkin Donuts, Jalan Legian.

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Mr Mudari parking attendant across from Sari Club Jalan Legian

Name:Mr Mudari

Age:53

Place of work:Parkirman ( Parking attendant ) close to Mambo on Jalan Legian.

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Mrs Nita from Surf Shop on Poppies II

Name:Nita

Age:26

Place of work:6th Sense Surf shop

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Ngurah Wiyana from Pub Bagus, Poppies II

Name:Ngurah Wiyana

Age:31

Place of work:Pub Bagus, Poppies II close to Jalan Legian.

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Mrs Libriantina from Kurnia Beauty Salon Poppies II

Name:Libriantina

Place of work:Kurnia beauty salon.

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Miss Katut from Taman Sari restaurant Poppies II

Name:Miss Katut

Age:20

Place of work:Taman Sari restaurant

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Miss July from Circle K Jalan Legian

Name:Miss July

Age:21

Place of work:Circle K Jalan Legian & Poppies II

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Epi sunglasses salesman

Name:Epi

Age:26

Place of work:Selling sunglasses in front of Kurnia beauty salon, Poppies II

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Bali Bombing Interviews Live

We have the map and interviews up...notice the 2 new links in the left hand column:

Bali Bombing Interview Map

and

Bali Bombing & Interviews

Mrs Kembar from Kembar Shop

Name: Mrs. Kembar

Age: 55

Place of work: Kembar shop ( Jalan Legian )

Where were you the evening the bombing happened? What were you doing?:
I was close to Legian / Poppies II in the house. I ran away to save myself and family. I thought it was an electrical explosion.

What happened where you were, once people knew that a bomb had gone off?:
I went to a safe area near the beach. After a while I knew it was a bomb. I got back to the shop and everything is broken, windows, roof etc.

My shop was damaged and I can't afford to repair it fully.

On the roof I found and hand, skin, eyes. The police took the body parts away.

I don't know any one who died in the bombing.

There were lots of burning cars in the street. I slept in the shop on a mattress for a month as the house in back was structurally damaged.

The shop next door to me's phone was ringing at night even though it was cut off after the bombing. I'm thinking now about how badly this will affect the economy, this is my only business.

What would you like to say to the people who did this?:
I agree with anything the government decides but I have very deep feelings about what happened.

What would you say to tourists thinking of coming to Bali?:
I want Bali back to normal.

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Made Sudana from Aloha Surf Shop

Name: Made Sudana

Age: 28

Place of work: Aloha surf shop ( Poppies II & Jl. Legian )

Where were you the evening the bombing happened? What were you doing?:
I was inside the building working along with 2 security men and 2 shopkeepers.

1 security man and a shopkeeper were injured. The security man had his leg broken. The Shopkeeper was injured by flying glass and was cut in the face.

I thought the explosion was an electric shock, I went outside and realised it was a bomb…everything had fallen down.

I saw a lot of people dying, the police put the dead and injured people inside the store. I am friends with the security staff at the Sari Club.

Everyone was panicking, even me. I had to look after the store and help people at the same time. I saw many dead people as I am opposite Paddy's Club and I heard the telephone ringing with no connection and people smoking ( no people just smoke from cigarettes. ).

I saw a head and body parts. I helped a ‘bule' ( foreign ) woman to the hospital. I gave her sandles as there was a lot of glass on the ground.

The locals stole everything from the store which I couldn't stop.

Later I found many body parts on the roof.

What would you like to say to the people who did this.:
I'd say it depends on the government, but I prefer to give you the death penalty.

What would you like to say to tourists considering coming to Bali?:
Back to normal.

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Made from Liza Tailors on Poppies II

Name: Made

Age: 29

Place of Work: Liza Tailors Poppies II

When the bomb went off did you hear it. How long till you know what happened?: Yes. 2 hours.

What happened where you were, one people knew a bomb had gone off?:
Little bit damage. Little busy outside.

Was your place of work closed after the bombing?:
Yes. 2 days.

What did you do while you were closed?:
I cleaned the shop of debris.

What was it like after the bomb went off?:
People are scared.

How has the bombing affected your life and the lives of those around you?:
Business is quiet. Tourist don't come so much.

What do you think of Bali's economy and tourist situation, both now and in the future?:

Economy is down, maybe us bankrupt, the tourists are scared. I think it will be busy in future. I hope tourists come to Bali.

Do you think there will be more bombings in Bali?:
No.

What would you like to say to the people who did this?:
Don't put the bomb, better you bomb yourself.

What would you say to tourists thinking of visiting Bali?:
In Bali it's no problem. Don't be scared about Bali, Bali is normal already.

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Mr Katut Nugra: 2 Doors from Sari Club

Name: Mr. Katut Nugra

Age: 56

Place of work: Art shop & telecommunications service ( Jl. Legian, 2 doors up from Sari )

Where were you the evening the bombing happened? What were you doing?:

I was sleeping around the back of the shop in house complex ( traditional style ) . Shop closed. Wartel owned by him also in side street. His family were injured by flying glass in the wartel also by the roof caving in at the art shop ( 3 storys ).

The 1st blast I think is thunder. 2nd blast I went searching. My grand daughter is shouting, grandkids are crying. I can't find the door of the house because of the dust.

Outside its terrible, everything is dark. In front of the house I saw a Kijang ( Toyota SUV ) with a dead person at the wheel.

There were a lot of Sari Club customers are jumping in house compound over the wall and running in injured and bleeding. The next door building is on fire and belongs to my brother. I tried to get the firemen to come to put the fire out.

All my family are running up Jl. Legian. They climbed over the north wall, 3 meters high. They didn't want to use the front exit as parts of bodies are littered in the driveway and I'm scared. The other families escaped the same way.

The same night they find body parts and give to police 2 days later. It was very stinky in this area. They make a ceremony as its bad spirit in Balinese.

Only 3 guys stay at the house. My family goes 2 miles away.

A lot of people were saying it was an electric shock. The police said it's a bomb, but I can't believe it. Maybe the bomb exploded the electrical box and made it worse.

I heard a rumor that a head was found 300 meters away.

People in Denpasar saw a chimney of smoke and a fireball.

My family didn't go to hospital and just used tweezers to take out the glass.

What would you like to say to the people who did this?:

I hope you get the same with what you do here and God will punish you. I want to kill them but it depends on the government.

What would you say to tourists thinking of coming to Bali?:

Bali still safe. Keep your bags safe as there are more robberies, thefts. I want to fix my building for the tourists but don't have any money. I don't want the Sari Club to be a nightclub again.

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Mr Kama Deanna of Mambo

Name: Mr. Kama Deanna

Age: 27

Place of work: Mambu ( very badly damaged, on Jl. Legian across from Sari Club.)

Where were you the evening the bombing happened? What were you doing?:

At home in Legian. close by. I thought it was an electric shock. The security man Bendi called and said there was a bomb. I came to Mambu to help the injured. My friend Somalani was working in the shop and got her head cut. I called relatives to take her to hospital. Another guy called Goday has similar injuries.

Six people were working and hid in the back part of the shop were the Balinese artwork is. ( The Balinese part of the store at the back was almost undamaged.

I found a westerner's leg and took it to the police. The man working close by in Haagen Dazs was killed.

It is a very scary scene that night, everything was dark. A lot of friends working at Sari Club were killed. I found a lot of heads and body parts everywhere. I saw a lot of people running injured.

After the bomb I saw the indicator of a burned out car blinking, I also heard people crying.

What would you like to say to the people who did this?:
Get a trial. They must be guilty and die. If they destroy Bali they've destroyed all the world.

What would you like to say to tourists considering coming to Bali?:
Bali is safe again.

Back to the interview page »

Ika from Internet Outpost

Name: Ika

Age: 24

Place of work: Internet Outpost, Poppies II

Where were you the evening the bombing happened? What were you doing?:

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Endah from Internet Outpost

Name: Endah

Age: 24

Place of work: Internet Outpost, Poppies II

Where were you the evening of the bombing?:

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Back in Bali and thoughts on Terrorism

As Nick mentioned, I am back. Returning into this country felt a bit like coming home. I knew exaclty where I was going this time on arrival at the airport. Pre-paid blue Taxi to Seminyak. Ebong set me up with a ride back to his place (it is great to have friend and contacts...thx ebong) On arrival at Internet Outpost, Ika greeted me with a hug and "you look wide" comment while giggling. All that red meat, beer, wine and whole milk added a few pounds. We laughed at me together while I patted my belly. It felt good and hot to be back.

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Bali bomb site

It was a wet morning yesterday and here's the desk in Sean's bedroom where I was working.

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Sari Club - interviews

Spent the last couple of hours with Ika from Internet Outpost interviewing locals about the bombing at the Sari Club. One guy who owns a wartel (telecommunications place) and t-shirt business that is located 2 doors down from the Sari Club let us go to the third floor of his building and take some aerial shots of the scene.

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Bali Bombing Interviews

I interviewed several locals today with questions about the Bali bombing back in October.

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Rebuilding Bali - Sari Club

Nick and I just got back from a day out searching for places to live, researching cell phone costs and internet providers. As our Taxi pulled up to Poppies Lane, across from the former Sari Club, we noticed a few new walls. Yes, I wouldn't call it a North American construction site but a few new walls were going up and men with hard hats were working in there.

It's great to see this, as I mentioned before, the streets are very dead. As we have wandered in to other areas like Legian and Seminyak - it is the same. Not many folks around.

I spoke with the Cybercafe manager today. Here are some numbers.

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Sari Club

The Sari Club used to be one of the busiest places for toursits in Bali. Right there on Jalan Legian adjacent to Poppies Lane II it was a thumping nightspot that attracted tourists, locals and expats alike. The bombing stunned the island and has hit the tourist industry hard.

My guesthouse at Ronta Bungalows is about a 3 minute walk from the site and I have meant to get photos before but when I go it seems to rain. Anyway today I did snap a few shots and I wasn't the only spectator. There are large numbers of tourists from Java this weekend as the President, Megawati Sukarnoputri is here in Bali visiting the village she came from, Mengwi about an hours drive north.

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