Embassy bombing hero gets promotion

Embassy bombing hero gets promotion

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Although his voice was barely audible, let alone understood,
Brig. Asep Wahyudi, 21, one of the victims of the Australian
Embassy bombing delighted both reporters and colleagues with his
high spirits and persistence to remain in the police force.

"I want to remain a police officer. I don't want anymore bomb
attacks to occur in Indonesia, and I hope that we police can
capture both Azahari and Nurdin Moh Top as soon as possible," he
said referring to the two Malaysian fugitives who are accused of
masterminding the Sept. 9, 2004 bombing in Kuningan, South
Jakarta.

Trembling and shaking, Asep was trying to stand on his feet to
receive handshakes from his colleagues, who congratulated him for
his promotion from second brigadier to brigadier, a two-rank
leap.

Chief of Security for Vital Objects at the Jakarta Police, Sr.
Comr. J.R. Hutajulu, said that the police awarded Asep with an
extraordinary rank promotion as he had shown loyalty and courage
on duty.

"He didn't run away from his duty of guarding a vital object
such as an embassy in spite of the bomb explosion. He will stay
with us as a police officer," Hutajulu said.

The suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy killed 10
people and injured hundreds of others.

Asep had served as a police officer for less than a year when
he and several other policemen were severely injured in the
bombing. He had such a serious head wound that people could see
the hole in his head.

With financial help from the Australian Embassy and Aisyah
Foundation, Asep was treated for eight months in Singapore. He
returned to Indonesia on May 27.

However, he has not fully recovered as he can't stand or walk
without assistance.

"With help from the Australian Embassy and Aisyah Foundation,
we will send him again for more therapy. We hope he can return to
work after the therapy," Hutajulu said.

He said that both Asep's mother and father would accompany
Asep to Singapore for his treatment.

Asep's mother Epong Karmina, 55, said that Asep, the fourth of
five children, had always wanted to be a police officer.

"We are very proud of him. He has been very brave since
childhood. The only thing he wanted was to become a police
officer. Now, after the incident, his spirit has grown even
stronger," she said.

She said that she, her husband Enang Soma, 60, and Asep's
elder sister came all the way from their hometown in Sumedang,
West Java, to attend the ceremony.

Asep said that he was not afraid of guarding an embassy or any
other place.

"I don't feel the pain anymore. I am ready to be put on duty
whenever my superior commands me. I think I can fulfill my duty
as usual," said Asep, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Sept.
8.