Double Blast

It was around 9.00 am local time when I received a text message from my former boss in Kuala Lumpur. The sms read "Bom?".

I leapt to switch on the telly.

True enough, almost all local TV stations were carrying live report on the bomb blast which took place at JW Marriot and Ritz Carlton hotels.

The TV stations telecast gruesome images of the blast victims. One particular image which will forever be imprinted in my mind was that of a foreigner who had just been taken out from JW Marriot on a stretcher.

He sat himself up but was immediately told to lie down by the people around him. He was in a state of shock and was unaware of the serious wounds on his head and face. I found out later that he was the President Director of Holcim.

He died about two hours after the blast.

It is really unfortunate that Indonesia has to again deal with acts of terror. At a time when Indonesia had gained tremendous success in improving its image to the rest of the world.

But I believe Indonesians will not let a bunch of subhuman terrorists to stand in their way. They have dealt with this kind of terrorist act before and will surely know how to deal with this one too.

To my Malaysian friends, please don't let this incident deter you from visiting Indonesia.

My deepest condolences goes to the innocent victims of the double bomb blast.