Community Members Commemorate First Bali Bombing Incident

Kuta (Antara Bali) - Community members in Bali and foreign visitors mingled with each other at a ceremony to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the first bombing incident that occurred on the island, on Monday.

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika led the ceremony which opened with a prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack.

"We would not forget it but we could pardon them and, by doing so, we can together maintain brotherhood on earth," he said in his speech.

Pastika, who was the chief investigator of the incident, said all sides now have to preserve the security that has been restored, including the military (TNI), the police, community members and foreign tourists.

"Security will not come from above but must be fought for and maintained together," he said.

Pastika, who used to be the chief of Bali regional police command, said the commemoration was not aimed at re-enacting the pain but was rather intended to deepen the sense of gratefulness and strengthen cooperation to develop a sense of empathy and sympathy.

"We are grateful that we have been given an opportunity to continue to live and for the blessings that God has given us to develop empathy and sympathy and international cooperation," he said.

Hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists brought a bouquet, one by one, to be placed on an altar at the monument built in the memory of the humanitarian tragedy.

Besides showering flowers and lighting candles, artists, who are members of the victims` families, presented a musical performance carrying the themes of humanity and solidarity.

The commemorative event was also attended by Bali regional police command`s chief, Inspector General Sugeng Priyanto, local officials and Australian consul general Majel Hind.

Three bombs exploded in three different locations in the worst terrorist attack in the country in Legian, Kuta, Bali, on October 12, 2002, leaving more than 200 people dead, mostly foreign tourists, including from Australia, and hundred others wounded. (WDY)