‘We warned them’: Bali bombings survivor exasperated over graphic footage shown during memorial

A screenshot from the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings that took place on Oct. 12, 2022, at the Ground Zero Bali Bombing Memorial in Kuta. Photo credit: Kuta TV Live Stream.
A screenshot from the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings that took place on Oct. 12, 2022, at the Ground Zero Bali Bombing Memorial in Kuta. Photo credit: Kuta TV Live Stream.

A graphic film depicting the events of the 2002 Bali bombings was shown during the tragedy’s 20th anniversary at the Kuta memorial on Oct. 12, which triggered those who attended the ceremony. A survivor of the terror attacks has spoken up and said that the authorities had been warned not to screen the clip.

The video reportedly included scenes of the aftermath of the attacks with graphic footage, as well as the trials of the bombers. As previously reported, while some perpetrators have been executed or convicted, one convicted terrorist, Umar Patek, may be released early on parole this year.

Thiolina Marpaung, a survivor of the tragedy, said she and other survivors warned the event organizers and the authorities not to play the video during a briefing that took place days before the ceremony.

“On Saturday, Oct. 8, when we were asked by [event organizers] and representatives of Densus 88 (the National Police counter-terrorism squad), we gave them a warning to not play the clip,” said Thiolina, who also chairs Yayasan Istri Suami Anak (Isana) Dewata, a network of survivors of the 2002 Bali bombings.

“We told them there are still many people who are not ready for it.”

Thiolina, who is left with permanent eye injuries in the attack, said that by the time the graphic footage was shown, she had already left the Kuta memorial after the communal prayer session.

“We warned them. I didn’t know. That evening, after the communal prayer, we went home. I found out [that the footage was played anyway] after reading the news from many journalists,” she said.

Mourners who attended the 20th anniversary were understandably shocked by the decision to play the triggering footage. Jeff Marshall, who lost his father because of the terror attack, told ABC News that “it’s just ripped our hearts’ apart seeing it all again.”

In a statement, a spokesperson of the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that they are “deeply disappointed” by the decision from the organizers to show the video and will “formally register” their concerns to Indonesian authorities. 

Responding to this, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said that they will forward the concerns to the memorial’s organizers to address them.

Coconuts Bali has reached out to representatives of Densus 88 for comment and will update this article accordingly. 

When asked about her reaction to the decision to play the video, Thiolina said that “stubborn people will pay the price.”



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on