Paddy's Pub is back. more secure than ever

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.