Embassy bombing hero gets promotion<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Although his voice was barely audible, let alone understood,
\nBrig. Asep Wahyudi, 21, one of the victims of the Australian
\nEmbassy bombing delighted both reporters and colleagues with his
\nhigh spirits and persistence to remain in the police force.<\/p>\n
\"I want to remain a police officer. I don't want anymore bomb
\nattacks to occur in Indonesia, and I hope that we police can
\ncapture both Azahari and Nurdin Moh Top as soon as possible,\" he
\nsaid referring to the two Malaysian fugitives who are accused of
\nmasterminding the Sept. 9, 2004 bombing in Kuningan, South
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Trembling and shaking, Asep was trying to stand on his feet to
\nreceive handshakes from his colleagues, who congratulated him for
\nhis promotion from second brigadier to brigadier, a two-rank
\nleap.<\/p>\n
Chief of Security for Vital Objects at the Jakarta Police, Sr.
\nComr. J.R. Hutajulu, said that the police awarded Asep with an
\nextraordinary rank promotion as he had shown loyalty and courage
\non duty.<\/p>\n
\"He didn't run away from his duty of guarding a vital object
\nsuch as an embassy in spite of the bomb explosion. He will stay
\nwith us as a police officer,\" Hutajulu said.<\/p>\n
The suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy killed 10
\npeople and injured hundreds of others.<\/p>\n
Asep had served as a police officer for less than a year when
\nhe and several other policemen were severely injured in the
\nbombing. He had such a serious head wound that people could see
\nthe hole in his head.<\/p>\n
With financial help from the Australian Embassy and Aisyah
\nFoundation, Asep was treated for eight months in Singapore. He
\nreturned to Indonesia on May 27.<\/p>\n
However, he has not fully recovered as he can't stand or walk
\nwithout assistance.<\/p>\n
\"With help from the Australian Embassy and Aisyah Foundation,
\nwe will send him again for more therapy. We hope he can return to
\nwork after the therapy,\" Hutajulu said.<\/p>\n
He said that both Asep's mother and father would accompany
\nAsep to Singapore for his treatment.<\/p>\n
Asep's mother Epong Karmina, 55, said that Asep, the fourth of
\nfive children, had always wanted to be a police officer.<\/p>\n
\"We are very proud of him. He has been very brave since
\nchildhood. The only thing he wanted was to become a police
\nofficer. Now, after the incident, his spirit has grown even
\nstronger,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said that she, her husband Enang Soma, 60, and Asep's
\nelder sister came all the way from their hometown in Sumedang,
\nWest Java, to attend the ceremony.<\/p>\n
Asep said that he was not afraid of guarding an embassy or any
\nother place.<\/p>\n
\"I don't feel the pain anymore. I am ready to be put on duty
\nwhenever my superior commands me. I think I can fulfill my duty
\nas usual,\" said Asep, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Sept.
\n8.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/embassy-bombing-hero-gets-promotion-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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