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Perth Now
03-06-2025
- Perth Now
Bali bomber uses deadly attacks to market new business
The terrorist responsible for making the bombs that killed more than 200 people — including 88 Aussies — in Bali is using his role in the deadly attack to market his new business. Umar Patek was convicted of creating the car bomb that exploded outside two busy Kuta nightclubs in 2002 and was one of the world's most wanted men after going on the run for nine years after the incident. He served only 11 years of his 20-year jail sentence, and just three years after his release, he is causing outrage again. Patek has launched a new coffee business, claiming he is now 'brewing peace'. The business, Coffee RAMU 1966 by Umar Patek, is located in Surabaya, the capital of East Java. The name RAMU is a reversal of his name Umar. Convicted terrorist Umar Patek has launched a new business venture . Credit: Supplied 'Once, I concocted bombs, and now I concoct coffee,' Patek told This Week in Asia. Patek said he wanted to start a new life and the only option for him was to launch his own business because 'no one wanted to hire a convicted criminal'. 'Before, I was known for something that hurt the world,' he said. 'Now I have chosen a different path. His new career path and disgraceful marketing tactic has left families of the Bali Bombing victims' outraged. Credit: Firdia Lisnawati / AP 'Before, bitterness used to destroy, now (the) bitterness (of coffee) heals.' His new career path and disgraceful marketing tactic has left families of the Bali Bombing victims' outraged. Sandra Thompson, the mother of 29-year-old Australian rugby player Clint who died in the attack, said Patek has never paid for the atrocity. 'Has this man repented? Does he still think what he did was morally right? Or has he just served a sentence then moved on?' she queried. 'Two hundred and two lives plus an unborn baby and survivors still living with the effects of their injuries. Has he paid for that? Never, if he has no remorse.'
West Australian
03-06-2025
- West Australian
Bali Bomber Umar Patek causes outrage after starting coffee business, using deadly attacks to promote venture
The terrorist responsible for making the bombs that killed more than 200 people — including 88 Aussies — in Bali is using his role in the deadly attack to market his new business. Umar Patek was convicted of creating the car bomb that exploded outside two busy Kuta nightclubs in 2002 and was one of the world's most wanted men after going on the run for nine years after the incident. He served only 11 years of his 20-year jail sentence, and just three years after his release, he is causing outrage again. Patek has launched a new coffee business, claiming he is now 'brewing peace'. The business, Coffee RAMU 1966 by Umar Patek, is located in Surabaya, the capital of East Java. The name RAMU is a reversal of his name Umar. 'Once, I concocted bombs, and now I concoct coffee,' Patek told This Week in Asia. Patek said he wanted to start a new life and the only option for him was to launch his own business because 'no one wanted to hire a convicted criminal'. 'Before, I was known for something that hurt the world,' he said. 'Now I have chosen a different path. 'Before, bitterness used to destroy, now (the) bitterness (of coffee) heals.' His new career path and disgraceful marketing tactic has left families of the Bali Bombing victims' outraged. Sandra Thompson, the mother of 29-year-old Australian rugby player Clint who died in the attack, said Patek has never paid for the atrocity. 'Has this man repented? Does he still think what he did was morally right? Or has he just served a sentence then moved on?' she queried. 'Two hundred and two lives plus an unborn baby and survivors still living with the effects of their injuries. Has he paid for that? Never, if he has no remorse.'
South China Morning Post
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
K-pop's Bain breaks taboos as ‘first' openly gay idol: ‘not an easy path'
Bain, a member of boy band Just B, has become the first South Korean K-pop idol to publicly come out as gay, a landmark move that challenges deep-rooted taboos in the country's entertainment industry – and, as he told This Week in Asia in an exclusive interview, one that came after intense personal struggle. Advertisement 'I am proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community,' the 23-year-old, whose real name is Song Byeong-hee, declared during a packed concert in Los Angeles on April 22, before dedicating a cover of Lady Gaga 's Born This Way to 'anyone still figuring it out'. Waving a rainbow flag as the crowd erupted into cheers, Bain added: 'You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way.' The moment sent shock waves across the K-pop world, with fans flooding social media platforms with messages of admiration and solidarity. 'Wow! Hats off to Bain. People like him make K-pop even more wonderful. I love you,' wrote one fan on social media. Advertisement 'I admire your courage. I support you and I hope you shine even brighter!' wrote another.
South China Morning Post
02-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Mistrust of Malaysian healthcare among Orang Asli minority grows after teen's leprosy death
An indigenous minority group in Malaysia is experiencing profound grief and seeking answers after the death of an 18-year-old from leprosy after receiving public healthcare, highlighting the ongoing mistrust between the Orang Asli community and the government. Advertisement Numbering around 200,000 people, the Orang Asli – which roughly translates to Original People in Malay – are a loose coalition of 18 indigenous tribes living in villages across most states in the peninsula, primarily near national parks or forest reserves. But their struggle to uphold generational hunter-gatherer traditions, along with a deep understanding of jungle medicinal herbs, has largely excluded them from mainstream access to education, power and clean drinking water. They also face regular conflicts over land ownership due to government and business expansion into forested areas. A recent outbreak of leprosy in two Orang Asli villages in the southern state of Negeri Sembilan brought these issues back into stark focus, with the family of the 18-year-old victim questioning how she could have died from the disease. 'The girl did not die of leprosy. Nobody in this day and age dies of leprosy,' Colin Nicholas, founder of the Centre for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC), told This Week in Asia. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How India is waiting in the wings to seize China-rejected Boeing planes
India 's airlines are circling dozens of Boeing jets rejected by Chinese carriers , in what aviation analysts describe as a rare convergence of geopolitics and market timing that could give Indian aviation a decisive edge amid global supply constraints and surging passenger demand. Advertisement The potential deal – led by Air India , which aims to acquire up to 10 of the 737 Max jets – could offer a windfall for Indian carriers facing capacity shortfalls and delivery delays from both Boeing and rival manufacturer Airbus. An industry executive familiar with the ongoing negotiations told This Week in Asia that talks between Indian operators and Boeing were at a 'serious stage, if not the final phase' of reaching an agreement. Air India declined to comment, but Boeing told This Week in Asia that the national carrier was potentially one of several options under consideration for the diverted aircraft. 'The deal appears quite bright at this stage, and it'll be a bounty for Indian aviation as it will add more planes with literally no waiting time. However, specifics need to be ironed out,' said the industry expert, who was not authorised to speak to the media. Advertisement Senior government officials in New Delhi are believed to be aware of the negotiations.
