The masterminds of the 2002 Bali Bombings, including the spiritual leader of JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, recieved remission in Jakarta. Its traditional in Indonesia that prisoners with good behavior get remission on Independence Day and with the heavy sentences dished out for some crimes, maybe things balance out.
The thing that has annoyed many people around the world is that Abu Bakar Ba'asyir and his accomplices planned to murder people, not a regular crime like stealing a car. Abu Bakar Ba'asyir was convicted of conspiracy in regard to the Bali Bombings and received a 30 month sentence. His remission of four months and 15 days is seen as an insult by the families of those murdered. You have got to wonder who is making up the rules out here, when possession of marijuana can get you several years in jail, but conspiracy to murder 202 people gets you 30 months.
It might seem a big joke to Indonesians but they will reap the product of the system they create and will have to deal with the repercussions down the road.
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This disraceful lowering of sentences by the Indonesian government on the day that celebrates the country’s “heroes” is in effect celebrating the bombers work. It is not suprising really though as the last Vice President of Indonesia said after the Bali bombings that ‘Abu Bakar Basyir is my friend. God has smiled upon ABB and should anything happen to him he will go to heaven’ (quote from Newsweek).
I see from your posts Nick as you learn more about Bali that your view of the place is not a ‘pink’ as it was. Wait until you speak the language properly and then you will see how the people really are. When the next Bali bomb comes I hope fewer people die and I hope that this time the Balinese doen’t steal all the medicines like they did last time.
Bali is a great place for a holiday but to support Indonesia is to be a person without conscience and disgraceful prison sentence reductions like this week’s support my viewpoint.
PS: I still have a business in Indonesia so I guess I am without conscience too
Da Wiz,
Thanks for your comments. Someone once tld me that when a person first comes to Bali they love everything about it. After some time elapses they hate everything about it, and after omre time elapses they come to some kind of middle ground. I got through those feeling everyday. For example the harrassment I got hiking in Batur was the tip of the ice berg of stuff I hate. But when I actually got to the hiking it was awesome, friendly people, relaxed atmosphere, great views, great weather.
The annoying thing for me about Indonesia is as a foreigner I can see what potential it has and also come close many times to having a great experience myself. All it takes is a few locals who are money hungry to screw it up, and that is very frustrating.
I’m still generally positive about travelling and living in Indonesia, but a dose of reality is a good thing. Some of the tourists and newcomers I meet (especially the women) almost whip themselves into a ‘culture frenzy’ and the ‘beautiful people’ can do no wrong, even when they are screwing them silly.
Da Wizard,
‘When the next Bali bomb comes’ – What a portend. Do you know something we should know?.
Do you know if Corby got any remission?
I hear she gets one month for every bj she gives to a prison warden…
People tend to have strong feelings about Indonesia… I seem to understand that, after all we’re talking of a very singular country, but is this such a singular country after all?! In South East Asia we’re full of “singular” countries, like Camboja, Laos, Vietnam… try and live under those regimes and maybe, just maybe Indonesia will soon look more fair and just, less corrupt, things may seem more organized… you see, the problem in my modest opinion is, we westerns have the tendency to compare everything to western standards, and something’s we just can’t compare!
Godhino,
Well said and with some excellent points.
And what of us who are *not* Western? As it is, Indonesia is a disgrace to Asia and has been for the past 60 years.
Hey Chan I say it as I see it, I bet there are a lot of countries in South East Asia that work a lot worst that Indonesia. Yes, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and even Brunei may be a simpler place to live, but would you trade Indonesia (the better parts at least) for Laos or Myanmar?!
The shame of Asia… Indonesia have the greatest beaches, the coolest weather, nice girls and large smiles, it has been for decades a postcard for surfers and non-surfers… I wouldn’t call it the shame of Asia.
If you call Indonesia the shame o Asia I would have to call Portugal the shame of Europe, and that is something I refuse to do!
Beaches, weather, nice girls……..very nice for sex tourists. You forgot to mention Indonesia also has oil, gold copper, all sorts of other natural resources…….and *still* manage to screw themselves up. Tell us how many Laotians have to leave their country to work as servants in the rest of Asia and in the Middle East and then how many Indonesians.
And Portugal the shame of Europe? I’ve never been to Portugal but I’ve been to 3 of your former colonies, 2 here in Asia and 1 in Africa……I was not impressed.
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