logo
Indonesian jailed for Bali bombing starts coffee business

Indonesian jailed for Bali bombing starts coffee business

Umar Patek was released on parole in 2022 and has apologised to the victims of the Bali nightclub bombings. (Reuters pic)
SURABAYA : An Indonesian convicted in the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings has launched his own coffee business after being released on parole, and has said he will use some of the earnings to help survivors of the attacks.
Umar Patek, a member of the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah group, was jailed for 20 years in 2012 after he was found guilty of making bombs that ripped through two Bali nightclubs, killing 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians.
He was released on parole in 2022 and has apologised to the victims.
Patek's release sparked anger in Australia and Indonesia.
At the launch of the coffee business yesterday, a banner with Patek's face festooned a cafe in the Indonesian city of Surabaya on Java island.
It is owned by dentist David Andreasmito and will use the beans Patek supplies and roasts.
'I was still shell-shocked by the outside world,' Patek said, adding he had trouble finding work after his release and was worried his image would affect the business.
'The stigma of a former terrorism convict made it hard for me to find work,' he said.
Patek said he understood that many people were still angry with him but pleaded to them 'not to let that doubt stick', adding he would give portions of his earnings to survivors.
David said he went into business with Patek because he had apologised and wanted people to give him a second chance.
Since Patek's release, Indonesian authorities have highlighted him as an example of the deradicalisation efforts launched by the world's most populous Muslim-majority country to counter a resurgence in Islamic militancy.
Chusnul Chotimah, a survivor of the Bali attacks who is covered in burn scars and says she struggles to pay for life-saving treatments, jostled in front of the crowd to speak to Patek at the launch.
'I used to have grudges against you,' she said. 'I forgive you for what you did. I know you've changed for the better,' she added.
Chusnul later said she hoped Patek could help out the survivors. 'Don't just say sorry,' she said.
Tumini, another survivor, said in Bali's capital Denpasar that she is still struggling to pay for her treatment and that government aid should be prioritised for victims still in recovery.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

SMM blasts ‘politically motivated' allegations surrounding viral photo, threatens legal action
SMM blasts ‘politically motivated' allegations surrounding viral photo, threatens legal action

Free Malaysia Today

time3 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

SMM blasts ‘politically motivated' allegations surrounding viral photo, threatens legal action

Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd has refuted any wrongdoing arising from a photograph that has gone viral recently, saying it was taken during a working visit to Indonesia in August 2024. PETALING JAYA : Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has threatened legal action against media outlets and others over the continued publication of 'false, misleading, and defamatory' allegations stemming from a now-viral photograph of its officials. In a statement addressing the photo which features current CEO Natasha Sim alongside several officials, the state-owned agency said: 'SMM unequivocally denies that any wrongdoing occurred.' It described the controversy as 'politically motivated' and part of a 'broader campaign to damage the company and its officers'. 'Should these baseless accusations continue to circulate, we will not hesitate to initiate legal action, including against media outlets for defamation and malicious falsehood,' the statement read. SMM noted that the allegations relate to an ongoing lawsuit involving Sim's predecessor, Jontih Enggihon, and businessman Albert Tei. The suit includes claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tampering with official documents, and conspiracy to injure. 'The current wave of public allegations appears to recycle issues already under judicial scrutiny,' it said. It clarified that the photograph was taken during a working visit in August 2024 as part of foreign direct investment discussions with a mining conglomerate in Indonesia. The visit followed board approval in February 2024 and was led by Sim, then serving as chief strategy officer. It added that the first trip to the conglomerate's base had occurred in March 2023, and was initiated by Jontih as part of a due diligence exercise. The partnership was formally recommended to the board by Jontih in December 2023. On July 18, Malaysiakini reported that the now viral photograph had 'triggered a fresh political storm'. Apart from Sim, the photograph featured SMM secretary Emily Chong and Sabah timber tycoon Elbert Lim next to a private jet. The portal quoted Warisan assemblyman Justin Wong as claiming the photo had sparked a new scandal engulfing SMM.

Indonesia says 19pc US tariff might kick in before August 1
Indonesia says 19pc US tariff might kick in before August 1

Malay Mail

time5 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Indonesia says 19pc US tariff might kick in before August 1

JAKARTA, July 21 — Indonesia's chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto said today that a 19 per cent tariff on Indonesian goods entering the United States could come into effect sooner than an August 1 deadline set by US President Donald Trump. Airlangga said the timing of the tariff depended on a joint statement expected soon between the two countries, which reached a trade deal last week that led to a reduction in the threatened US proposed tariff rate to 19 per cent from 32 per cent. The deal was one of only a handful reached so far by the Trump administration ahead of the August 1 negotiation deadline with numerous countries. — Reuters

Sabah Mineral refutes allegations linked to viral jet photo
Sabah Mineral refutes allegations linked to viral jet photo

New Straits Times

time6 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Sabah Mineral refutes allegations linked to viral jet photo

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM) has refuted allegations linked to a viral photo allegedly showing its chief executive officer, Natasha Sim, and company secretary, Emily Chong, beside a private aircraft. In a statement today, the state-owned company clarified that the image, taken during an official working visit, had been misrepresented in reports tying it to questionable dealings with a foreign mining conglomerate. SMM said the first visit to the Indonesia-based conglomerate in March 2023 was part of a due diligence exercise initiated by former chief executive officer Jontih Enggihon. The trip aimed to explore potential collaboration. In December that year, Jontih formally recommended the partnership to the board of directors, citing the Indonesian company's industry practices. The board gave its approval in February 2024 and appointed Sim, who was then chief strategy officer, as lead liaison to facilitate discussions on foreign direct investment. The August 2024 trip, during which the viral photo was taken, was part of this engagement. SMM emphasised that in December 2024, both Sim and Chong had cooperated fully with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, submitting detailed statements and documents related to the work trip. An internal inquiry that concluded in February this year found no wrongdoing and confirmed there was no conflict of interest, personal gain or undue influence. "The negative insinuations of wrongdoing made in these media reports are entirely false, misleading and defamatory. "SMM unequivocally denies that any wrongdoing occurred," the statement said. The company stressed that it was not a licensing authority and that the chief executive officer had no legal or administrative power to grant or approve licences. SMM claimed that the sudden re-emergence of the issue could be politically motivated, as it coincided with ongoing legal proceedings involving Jontih and businessman Albert Tei. The duo are being sued for alleged fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tampering with official documents and conspiracy to injure. "The current wave of public allegations appears to recycle issues already under judicial scrutiny and may be part of a broader campaign to damage the company and its officers." SMM urged the media, politicians and the public to verify facts before repeating potentially defamatory claims. SMM warned that it would not hesitate to take legal action against any party, including media outlets, public figures or individuals, who continue to circulate baseless accusations.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store