Bali bomber Umar Patek’s shock comeback with new coffee business

Umar Patek was one of the masterminds responsible for the Bali bombings that killed 202 people. He’s now got a new job, bankrolled by an up-market Indonesian restaurant.

A convicted terrorist who made explosives for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed and injured more than 400 people is now “brewing peace” at his own coffee business in Indonesia and moonlights as a nature photographer.

Umar Patek, 58, was responsible for making the bombs that were detonated at two nightclubs in Kuta, a popular tourist district in southern Bali, on October 12, 2002, killing 202 people including 88 Australians.

He spent the next 10 years as a fugitive before he was eventually arrested in Pakistan and sentenced to 20 years behind bars, but was released on parole after 11 years in December 2022.

Indonesian militant Umar Patek arrive in handcuffs at Jakarta court on April 19, 2012, following his arrest. Picture: AFP

Bali bombmaker Umar Patek launches a business in Indonesia working as a barista. Picture: Instagram

Now, he’s launched his own business called ‘Coffee RAMU 1966 by Umar Patek’ – which is supported by top restaurant Hedon Estate, and launches on Tuesday night.

“Once, I concocted bombs, and now I concoct coffee,” Patek told local media.

“Before, I was known for something that hurt the world. Now I have chosen a different path.”

Hedon Estate donated the equipment and will stock his products.

According to a promotional social media post, translated from Indonesian, Patek has “rediscovered his identity and chose to create”.

Umar Patek says he is now “brewing peace”. Picture: Instagram

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Hedon Estate, in Indonesia, is bankrolling the new coffee venture for the convicted terrorist. Picture: Instagram

“What we will introduce today is not just the best brew from the land of Indonesia, it is the fruit of the journey of a human who chose change. From this path to light, from anger to meaning, from fear to hope”.

Glenn Cosman was with two friends at Sari Club when two bombs went off - one right outside the club, and another at a neighbouring pub. He suffered leg injuries and hearing loss, and was lucky to escape the situation with his life.

Speaking with this masthead, he accused Hedon Estate of using Patek’s title as a reformed terrorist as a marketing ploy.

“I’m not overly happy that they’re using him as a promotion,” he said.

“You never really know if they’re rehabilitated or if they’re playing the game to get released. I don’t think we’re like computers that can be reprogrammed - he clearly knew what he was doing at the time, and then he escaped for ten years before he was caught, so it’s not like he handed himself in or anything.”

Bali bombing victims Glen Forster (left), and Glenn Cosman (right) are pictured after the attack in 2002

Mr Cosman described the Indonesia justice system as “bizarre” because some of the bombers were executed or got life sentences, while Patek only got ten years.

“I go back to Bali every chance I get, I even buy coffee from a Balinese guy on the Gold Coast, but yeah I won’t be hanging around [Patek’s] coffee cart,” he said.

Patek’s Instagram profile is awash with high quality photographs of flowers, moths and bees, and he appears to be very open about his terrorism convictions.

Bali bombing victim Glenn Cosman is pictured at his Gold Coast home

His profile says: “Former terrorist convict. There is no good person who does not have a past. Likewise, there is no bad person who does not have a future.”

Along with the Bali attack, he was responsible for a series of bombings on Christian churches on Christmas Eve in 2000, which killed 18 people.

His release from prison sparked furious backlash from his victims, including former home affairs minister Claire O’Neil, who slammed the situation as an “absolutely horrible day for the victims of the Bali bombings”.

Pictured: The wreckage of Sari Club nightclub in Kuta in 2002

Following his release, Patek participated in Indonesia’s deradicalisation program and was praised for good behaviour.

Speaking with Al Jazeera in 2023, he said that he wanted to apologise to every victim willing to listen.

“Everyone who has met with me in person has forgiven me,” he said.

“When I meet victims, I say, ‘I am Umar Patek and I was involved in the Bali bombing,’ then I explain why I was there, and apologise.”