Paddy's Pub is back. more secure than ever

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Contributor, Kuta, Bali

Made Sukarya is beaming with hope. After losing his job at the popular Paddy's pub in Legian after it was destroyed by a terrorist bomb in October last year, he is back in his old job.

When the rebuilt Paddy's Club Reloaded opened on Saturday, the 30-year-old Made returned to his job as a waiter.

"I'm very happy," the father of two said.

Made has reason to be happy. As thousands of workers in Bali's tourist industry face a bleak future, he has his job back.

The new club is located only 50 meters from the site of the original Paddy's, which along with Sari Club was destroyed in the bombings last October that killed about 202 people, mostly foreigners. The two nightspots were popular with foreign tourists, particularly Australians and Americans.

Made, who was injured in the attack, expressed hope that the club's reopening was a sign that the local tourist industry was rebounding.

Paddy's owner, businessman Gede Wiratha, is also optimistic.

"My plan is to hold the grand opening precisely on the night of Oct. 12 this year, to mark the first anniversary of the tragic incident," Gede said.

The 420-square-meter new Paddy's is painted yellow and red, offering a warm atmosphere. Two security guards will greet guests outside the bar with metal detectors. The bar now employs 16 security guards to ensure the safety of guests.

Once guests are cleared by the security guards, they can enter Paddy's and enjoy the warm greeting of waiters.

"The workers' sense of solidarity increased following the bombing," said Gede, who invested more than Rp 3 billion in the new club.

The interior is slightly changed -- the dance floor is more spacious and able to accommodate some 600 dancers, while the lighting is improved, making it easier to watch the action on the dance floor.

"It (the better lighting) is also intended to monitor whether people are involved in drug dealing," Gede said.

Nyoman Sunada, 36, who worked at Paddy's for more than two years before the bombing, said the reopening had encouraged the employees to do their best.

"We have to start work at 4 p.m, but people are already here at 10 a.m.," said Nyoman, adding that everybody was eager to work after spending more than 10 months doing nothing at home.

Nyoman said he was fortunate to receive a donation from a local foundation that helped victims of the bombings and their families.

"I received some money to support my family, including for my children's school fees," Nyoman said.

Another employee, Wayan Sudiarta, however, said he still felt insecure. "I still feel afraid .... I know security has been tightened, but who knows if a terrorist will come again and attack us."

Gede, who also owns several hotels and restaurants, told The Jakarta Post it would have taken too long and been too complicated to rebuild Paddy's on the original site.

"Balinese believe in asta kosala kosali, which regulates the functions of certain plots of land and property," Gede said.

After the bombing, the land where Paddy's stood was considered leteh, or spiritually dirty.

"The function of that site must be changed at least four times (before it can be considered spiritually clean). For me, it would have taken too long because I have 90 employees who have to feed their families," Gede said.