Documenting the Bali bomb

Since the terrorist bombing in Bali in October 2002 the NLA's Jakarta Regional Office has acquired material which reflects the variety of responses to this tragic incident.

Immediately after the bombing the front gates of the Australian Embassy were covered with floral and written expressions of condolence. From these we acquired a number of banners of condolence signed by hundreds of Jakarta residents, and one banner which was attached to the railings of the Embassy by a Chinese Buddhist society in observance of the 40th day after the bombing.

From Bali we acquired publications, two T-shirts (one expressing the hope for a return to peace in Bali, the other outrage at terrorists), and the CD Mimpi kedamaian (Dreams of peace), a recording of the peace and reconciliation concert held in June 2003.

Printed material acquired on the bombing has included Indonesian Government anti-terrorism legislation, conspiracy theories, pictorial works, accounts of personal involvement, and discussions of its effects on Balinese society and economy. Some of the titles are:

The International Crisis Group's study Impact of the Bali bombings.

Atkinson, Alan
Tragedi di Bali: pengalaman pribadi saat terjadi bom di Bali = Tragedy in Bali: a personal account of the Bali bombing.

Junaedi, Dedi
Konspirasi di balik bom Bali: skenario membungkam gerakan Islam.

A number of titles on Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, the alleged leader of the terrorist Jemah Islamiyah group, including his semi-autobiography Saya teroris? (Sebuah pledoi).

Patra, Kim
In the arms of the angels: memoirs of a medical volunteer, Bali, October 2002.

Setia, Putu
Mendebat Bali: catatan perjalanan budaya Bali hingga bom Kuta.

Lueras, Leonard
Bali eye on Indonesia.
This title was launched at the time of the Prime Minister's visit to Bali for the recent commemoration service. We were fortunate to acquire a copy signed by Mr. Howard.

Oliver Mann can be contacted at the National Library's Regional Office in the Australian Embassy, Jakarta, Indonesia (oliver.mann@dfat.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address)).

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