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One
Year after Bali Bomb Tragedy:
Several Happenings
Occurred
Three
bomb explosions in Bali on 12 October 2002
were an unexpected blow. Bali that was known
to be safe, suddenly suffered abuse by terrorists.
More than 200 people died, including 88
Aussies, and hundreds of buildings were
flattened. The heavy shock immediately impacted
on Bali’s tourism industry. Tourist
numbers dropped sharply, and many people
lost their jobs.
 However,
remarkably, there was a positive aspect
of this tragedy. Firstly the success of
police in catching the bombers in less than
four weeks following the tragedy. After
the toil of hunting the data, and the last
owner of the L-300 car (the bomb-car), multinational
investigation teams lead by Inspector General
of Police Made Mangku Pastika, succeeded
in arresting Amrozi in a small village in
Eastern Java, early in November last year.
The arrests were carried out about two weeks
before Bali performs the traditional purification
rite, Pamarisudha Karipubhaya, on 14 November.
This was an impulsive rite, because the
entire Balinese and tourist communities
without any religion exceptions supported
it. The bomb-blast did not destroy the community,
in conof Bali Provincial Police, Brigadier
General Police Budi Setyawan (the officiate
chief at that time), promised that he would
resign if not successful in arresting the
culprits, finally cancelled his resignation
soon after Amrozi and his notorious mates
were caught.
The next blow was the trail process that
must be safe and orderly. Beforehand, many
sides worried about the process that might
create demonstrations, but nothing happened.
After more than 12 bombers were sentenced,
including the main actor, death sentences
and life imprisonment verdicts were handed
down by the courts. Another surprise within
the trial process is that the trial was
accomplished in less than one year. Before
the ‘one year trast it expressed a
magnificent solidarity to manifest the tranquility.
Recalling the arrests, the Head memorial
service’, the Bali Bombing trial can
be said to be accomplished, with the exception
of Idris that will be presided upon soon.
Tourism
Resurrection
Even though the tragedy of Kuta carried
a depressed nuance for Bali tourism, numerous
resurrections should be noted so far. Firstly,
the flight enterprise in Bali, Air Paradise
International, commenced services to Perth
(Australia) in February this year. The original
plan was for the 27 October 2002, but withdrawn
because of the bomb. Definitely, the flight
enterprise belongs to Balinese entrepreneur,
Kadek Wiranatha, was not to cancel the flights
just because of the bomb. Up until now,
the operation route has been extended to
serve the lane from Bali-Australia and including
Seoul, South Korea.
Several hotels slowed down their activities,
soon after bomb-blast, in December 2002,
regaining some increases again during the
Christmas and New Year holidays. The Gulf
War and SARS did not impact greatly on tourism
as was expected. Surprisingly, at the beginning
of August 2003, Paddy’s Bar that was
extensively damaged by the bomb, opened
again at a new location about 150 meters
from the old one.
The soft opening was contiguously panned
to coincide with Amrozi’s verdict.
Its means that the new Paddy’s Bar
would be covered widely by international
media, a tremendous promotion for Bali.
In the midst of the storm, Bali tourism
still survived. Tourism stakeholders unite
firmly in facing the crisis. They keep trying
to execute promotions to Asia, Europe, and
Australia. They also have to deal with several
countries involved
with the new tourist visa regulations. The
zest of the Bali tourism stakeholder and
entrepreneur are stronger than ever, uniting
together to keep the tourism dynamo in progress.
Even though the travel warnings from several
countries still applies to Indonesia including
Bali, the tourist keeps visiting Bali even
after the bomb. It’s important to be
noted that the relationship between Bali
and other countries especially Australia
getting is getting much closer now than
before.
Another boost is overseas endorsements,
especially the victim’s countries like
Australia, England and US, in building a
monument at ground zero. The laying of a
cornerstone is already underway, and is
expected to be completed by October the
12th, to stand gloriously at the site of
the former Sari Club in Kuta.
Later, victims’ relatives, and people
from all over the world who are emotionally
sensitive to the Kuta tragedy, will visit
the monument to pay their last respects.
A part from all the sorrow, that black October
day in 2002, has made Bali an international
landmark. (BTN/04)
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