Bomb victims revisit painful memories
Bomb victims revisit painful memories
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The 21-year-old police officer looks very different from his
appearance a year ago. His distant look has replaced the bold
stare in the photo taken before the Australian Embassy bombing
that changed his life.
Although he has not fully recovered from the severe injuries
he sustained in the Sept. 9, 2004 explosion, Second Brig. Asep
Wahyudi insisted on putting on his uniform and joined several
other injured victims to revisit the site.
Half dragging his right foot, Asep -- assisted by two officers
-- placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the embassy in
Kuningan, South Jakarta. Taking off his hat, he revealed a deep
scar at his right temple.
People commemorating the bombing outside the embassy on Friday
were there either because they lost relatives in the blast or
were left maimed. The suicide bombing killed 11 Indonesians,
including one of the bombers, and badly damaged the embassy's
fence.
As religious leaders led prayers, Asep's mother wiped tears
from her eyes. Two Australian Embassy staff members tightly held
hands as their expressions hardened.
Suffering does not select victims. Both Indonesians and
Australians felt the same deep pain over the incident.
"The bombing has only brought the two countries closer
together," said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia David Ritchie.
"The terrorist aimed to force the two countries further apart
and bring down the Indonesian government. Well, they have
failed," he added.
At the commemoration, an embassy officer passed on a message
from Australian Prime Minister John Howard: "Fanatics have abused
religion and used terror to attack values such as freedom,
democracy, tolerance and moderation."
Ritchie said that his government had been very pleased with
the work of the Indonesian police in tracking down the people
responsible for the terrorist attack.
The National Police arrested four people in connection with
the blast. Two of them, Agus Ahmad and Heri Sigu Samboja, have
been sentenced to four and seven years in imprisonment
respectively.
Two other suspects, Ahmad Hasan and Rois, are standing trial
at the South Jakarta District Court and could face the death
penalty.
"We have been very pleased with the last verdict but do not
have any comment on the death penalty. It lies fully in the hands
of the Indonesian court," Ritchie said.
He added that the embassy had taken extra precautions to
protect its citizens and employees, such as by issuing travel
warnings during months when terrorist attacks most often took
place.
The bombing was the third major terrorist attack in Indonesia
after the Bali and Marriott bombings. However, it was seen as the
first to have been targeted directly against Australians.
The 2002 attack on Bali nightclubs killed 202 people and a car
bomb the year after killed 12 people at the JW Marriott Hotel in
South Jakarta.