'I have visited Bali and I will surely come back'

'I have visited Bali and I will surely come back'

The bomb attacks that hit Bali last Saturday have made many
people more cautious about security. While condemning the
terrorists and expressing concern over the catastrophe, some of
them told The Jakarta Post that the incident would not discourage
them from revisiting Bali.

Oscar Lawalata, a 25-year-old fashion designer who lives in
Blok S, South Jakarta:

When I first heard from a friend about the Bali blasts last
Saturday night, I thought it was just a minor explosion. But I
was really shocked when I'd found out about it. I was really sad.

Before the incident happened, I already believed that there
were terrorists here because the state is rather rocky. They must
have some strategy ... but I don't know what their mission is.

Because of the tragedy, I've had to cancel my fashion show,
which had earlier been scheduled to take place at Garuda Wisnu
Kencana park (in the Bukit peninsula, Bali) next month. The
organizer might later reschedule the event and make it a charity
night. But that is still uncertain.

I am now a bit scared about going out to crowded nightspots. I
must be more selective about where I go; I think entertainment
places at hotels are safe.

But I think one could be a bombing victim anywhere.

I often go to Bali. The last time I went there was in August
and I will surely return. If, one day, I have to go there I will
just go. I'm not afraid. It happened once in Bali and I don't
think that it will happen there again, hopefully.

Nungki Kusumastuti, 44, a choreographer and lecturer at the
Jakarta Institute of Arts, Jl. Cikini Raya, Central Jakarta:

I'm really sad and feel concerned about the many crimes in
Indonesia, especially the bombing in Bali.

Terrorism can strike anywhere in the world. A terrorist
network might exist here in Indonesia because the country is not
secure.

In fact, I don't feel secure here, especially after the May
1998 riots.

I have a driver, but there are times when he is not available,
so I have to drive myself. I don't like taking taxis because they
are more risky, unless I have to go to a venue where it is hard
to find a parking space.

But it does not mean that I go out less often. I'm not afraid
to go to nightspots or public places like malls. I mean, it (the
bombing) could have occurred anywhere. But I will remain on the
alert.

I'm not afraid to go to Bali, either. Last month I went to
Bali and if I had to go there again, I would surely go. I don't
feel discouraged.

Gladys Suwandi, 32, a Eurasian artist who is married to an
expatriate:

I was so upset and disappointed upon hearing the news about
the Bali blasts. It was unbelievable. Whoever did it must be
immoral.

In the past few years, there have been bomb attacks here in
Jakarta. Even my husband's office at Menara Kadin (on Jl. Rasuna
Said, South Jakarta) was once subject to a bomb hoax.

Never before have I felt as scared as I do now. The incident
caused so many deaths and casualties ...

If I were still single, I might not be so scared, but now I am
a mother of three-year-old daughter.

I will be more careful now and avoid crowded places like
nightclubs. If something happens, how can you run?

But I'm not afraid of going to Bali. I go there about twice a
year and will visit Bali again. It has already occurred in Bali
and I'm sure it won't happen there again.

Terrorists could attack anywhere, even London or Jakarta.

My Czech mother, my Australian husband who is a Papua New
Guinea citizen, and many of my foreign friends, who have been
living here for years, do not have any intention to leave the
country now. But I don't know about the future, let's just hope
that things will get better.