To Forgive, But Never Forget

Bali Governor Urges It is Time to Forgive Terrorists

(10/12/2012)

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika has used the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings to urged all parties affected to forgive those who perpetrated the terrorist acts.

“It is indeed not easy to forget such a big tragedy that has claimed so many lives, but now is the time for mutual forgiveness. Hopefully, we are all ready to openly forgive,” said Pastika. 

The first step to forgiveness, according to Bali’s governor who was also the key investigator in capturing the men responsible for the Bali bombings, is to put peace and toleration in the ascendency in order to permit a positive view of the future, Quoted by Seputarbali.com, Pastika said that terrorism cannot be overcome by merely capturing those responsible for the acts. He said that terrorism is a matter of ideology and can emerge in society whenever  people feel they are marginalized, discriminated against, have suffered injustice or fallen victim to misquided religious teachings.

Pastika asked: “Who can guarantee that terrorists place in prison won't influence other prisoners or won't be even more notorious after their release? (Because of this) comprehensive measures, such as indefinite imprisonment, must be devised and appreciated.”

Bali’s governor see terrorism as an example of transnational crime that knows no borders, can strike with little warning anywhere in the world, and by no means limited in locale to only Indonesia. “There systems are so sophisticated. Because of this, the approach to controlling terrorism must be comprehensive, beginning from steps that are preemptive, preventive and rehabilitative. Who will guarantee that that after they (the terrorists) are released (from prison) that they won’t become terrorists again?” he asked.

The former head of the Bali police force and the man credited with bringing the Bali bombers to justice compares terrorism to an iceberg, with only a small portion visible to the naked eye. The unseen portion is comprised of poverty, injustice, discrimination and false teachings. 

Pastika said that until we address all components of the terrorism issue there will always exist the possibility for future terrorist incidents.

He also warned that no matter how sophisticated the security system put in place to prevent terrorism, there is always the possibility that terrorists will evade detection. Adding, “In the effort to welcome mass tourism, there will certainly be terrorists who manage to conceal themselves.”

Source: BaliDiscovery.com