Newsroom

The upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Bali Bombing

As Bali and many other parts of the world approach the commemoration of the upcoming 20th Anniversary of the Bali bombing, it is a valuable opportunity to renew and reiterate our collective commitment to strengthen the voice of moderation, tolerance and mutual understanding among different communities.

The 2002 Bali bombing occurred on 12 October in the tourist district of Kuta- Bali Indonesia. It was the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia, killing 202 people: 164 foreign nationals, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesian citizens. A further 209 people were injured. 

Beyond the mentioned losses, the less public victims of the Bali bombing are the people of Bali themselves. Strongly reliant on the tourism industry in Bali, after the bombings their economy collapsed as travellers chose not to return to that beautiful island. The Balinese paid a heavy price for the actions of an extreme group of fundamentalists on that day.

Indonesia is currently considering to grant parole and further reduce the prison sentence of a man jailed for his role in the attack, making the news and upsetting many.  Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkum HAM) Yasonna Laoly said the parole granted to terrorist prisoner Umar Patek has been recommended by the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT). Yasonna understands that there are a number of parties, including neighbouring countries such as Australia who object to the remission. However, the Indonesian government has its own remission and parole laws.

There is also the release of an upcoming Australian TV mini series. “While the devastating impact of this tragedy is still felt by many 20 years on, Bali 2002 is an opportunity to tell a version of the story that memorialises and honours victims, survivors and their families,’’ Screen Australia’s Graeme Mason said.

The National Museum of Australia has also chronicled the events of October 12 2002 in a link available here.

Bali Hotels Association which was known as CasaGrande 20 years ago, assisted in many different ways during the crisis, providing supplies and logistic support at the hospital, two-way radios for the Bali police and hosting family members of Indonesian victims and survivors . Grande’s Spirit of Hope fund - launched immediately after the Bali Bombing to assist Indonesian victims of the tragedy and to upgrade hospitality facilities - subsidized transportation during the victims’ families five-day visit to Bali.
All tourism stakeholders, government and police worked together on the common goal to revive Bali Tourism; and there is even greater cohesion among all parties today to reach the same objective, proudly supported by Bali Hotels Association.

Bali Hotels Association would like to take this opportunity to remember those who suffered and died, and our thoughts are with all those who continue to grieve for their loved ones. We also pay tribute to the survivors who have courageously rebuilt their lives.  The island of Bali saw so many people taking action, so much positive energy coming out of such a dark, life changing event. 

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