0 Bombing victims, families to get support

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has pledged to provide support for all survivors and their families affected by the bomb blasts in October 2002 and October 2005, while expressing his deep regret for paying less attention to their lives previously. Pastika said during a meeting with the survivors and their families at his office on Wednesday afternoon that, on behalf of the provincial administration, he would like to remind these people that they were not forgotten. 

“On this occasion, I personally want to express my sincere regret for not being able to help them sooner,” said Pastika. His public apology came after the first was delivered during a press conference to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the first Bali bombing last October. At that time, hundreds of local, national and international journalists attended the press conference. During the press conference, Pastika embarrassingly admitted that the provincial administration had neither accurate data on the number of bombing survivors nor the current living conditions of those people. 

“I will try to acquire data on the survivors and their families and will soon take real action to help them in any way we can,” Pastika confirmed in the press gathering at that time. The meeting yesterday (Wednesday) was one of Pastika’s real actions to help the survivors. “We have gathered all the required data and identified their real needs,” the governor said. Free health services, capital, scholarships and a gathering place were among their requests, said the governor. More than 200 people — most of whom were foreigners — were killed when terrorists detonated bombs at the Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub on Jl. Legian in Kuta on Oct. 12, 2002. 

On Oct. 1, 2005, blasts occurred in Kuta and in Jimbaran, killing 23 people, including foreigners. Many survivors of the tragedies were left with physical and psychological trauma. There were also many families who lost their fathers and mothers, the breadwinners of the family. “I felt fortunate that I was safe from the tragedy. But the tragedy has affected my physical and psychological condition. I have to have regular medical examinations and treatment for my eyes. I still feel the trauma, particularly when hearing a loud noise,” Thiolina Marpaung, a survivor of the 2002 Bali bombing said, sharing her grim experience. 

Marpaung also explained that many survivors were facing similar problems. “There are some survivors who suffered from serious burns leaving scars all over their bodies. The pain from the scars remains and they really need special medical treatment. But most of them have no money to get that costly treatment” she said. Marpaung added that there were also other survivors who still suffered from unbearable pain as shards from the bombs were still inside their bodies. “We really hope that the government can help us,” she said. 

Luh Erniati, the chairwoman of Isana Dewata, explained that there were 50 families affected by the 2002 and 2005 bombing tragedies; 15 of the survivors badly needed continuous health treatment. “Free healthcare and financial assistance to run businesses would be beneficial for those who are now living destitute because of the tragedy,” Erniati said. Pastika said the administration had several programs that could help the survivors and their families. 

“They can gain access to capital through PT Jamkrida, our underwriting company, which could be their guarantor to get soft loans from BPD regional banks under the Bali Mandara program,” the governor stated. PT Jamkrida Bali Mandara is a loan guarantee institution established by the provincial administration in cooperation with the Denpasar mayoralty, and Badung, Gianyar, Karangasem, Bangli and Tabanan regencies, which aims to assist members of society who do not have access to banks. For healthcare, Pastika suggested that they obtain access to free health services through the Jaminan Kesehatan Bali Mandara (JKBM), free health insurance scheme.

source : bali daily