Australians pay tribute to lost ones at Bali bombing memorial on the 17th anniversary

Australians who lost their friends and loved ones in the Bali bombing have paid their respects with unique tributes as the 17th anniversary still left many in tears.

Australian tourists visit the Bali bombing memorial in Legian, Kuta. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

The 17th anniversary of the Bali bombing was marked with quiet reflection at the Kuta monument dedicated to the 202 victims of the 2002 terrorist attack.

Eighty-eight Australians were killed when bombs blasts ripped through Paddy’s Bar and the Sari Club on October 12, 2002 in Kuta.

This year there was no large-scale event to mark the tragedy.

Sydney man Joshua Maurer came to the Kuta memorial in the quiet of the early morning to place a pair of blue and green sport shorts on the monument.

Australian Joshua Maurer visits the memorial in Legian, Kuta during the 17th commemoration and put a pair of shorts with the name of his six friends who were killed. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

Joshua and his seven friends from the Coogee Bay Dolphins where on holiday when the bombing happened. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

In the pocket of the shorts he had placed a piece of paper with the names of six friends who were killed in the lethal attack.

Mr Maurer’s fallen friends are Joshua Iliffe, Shane Foley, David Mavroudis, Clint Thompson, Adam Howard and Gerald Michael Yeo. They where all members of the Coogee Bay Dolphins football club.

Victims families place a picture and flowers at the Bali bomb memorial during the 17th commemoration. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

The monument is a year round pilgrimage point among Australian holiday-makers who visit ‘ground zero’ of the attack that rocked the island.

Ms Natalie Juniardi came to place flowers on the memorial that honours her husband who was killed in the assault.

“My Indonesian husband John Ardi was killed in the bombing. We have two beautiful kids to him who now live in Sydney. It’s been very hard because every year is the same raw and emotional time. We miss him and the other two Indonesian fiends that we lost. We have never forgotten them,” said Ms Juniardi who continues to live in Bali.

Australian Natalie Juniardi with her son and relative at the memorial in Legian, Kuta Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

MORE NEWS

Schapelle Corby’s next ‘uncensored’ move

Drunk Aussie in Bali scooter rampage hits jail

‘A huge shock’: Popular Coast surfer dies in Bali

Aussies cancel holidays over Bali bonking ban

She also noted that Indonesia is working hard to arrest terrorists and keep the country safe.

“I wish there was world peace and every religion would live in peace,” Ms Juniardi said.

Bali Police arrested two suspected terrorists after investigations and confirmed the father and son alleged terrorist team are Achmad Taufikkurrahman and Zaid Ali Ibrahim from Denpasar.

They are believed to be members of the terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, which has pledged loyalty to the Islamic State.

Australian tourists visit the Bali bombing memorial in Legian, Kuta. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

Police said the accused men had terror plans targeting police and have been taken to Java.

“We are conducting an in-depth examination of those who agree to take allegiance to (ISIS leader) Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi,” said Bali Polda (police) spokesman Mr Kombes Hengky Widjaj

Australian Natalie Juniardi with her son and relative visit the memorial in Legian, Kuta. Picture. Lukman S. Bintoro

On Thursday two terrorists attacked Indonesia’s chief security minister Wiranto with a knife and scissors during a visit to Baten province in Java.

The minister was taken to hospital with two deep wounds, while local police suffered cuts.

The head of Indonesia’s intelligence agency, Mr Budi Gunawan, said the two assailants — who are a married couple — were members of an Islamist terror group, Jamaah Ansharut Daulah.