Peace park to honour Bali bomb victims gets go-ahead

Balinese authorities will push ahead with a peace park to commemorate the victims and survivors of the 2002 terrorist bombings, several years after the long-cherished idea was shelved.

Artists impression of an earlier proposed Bali Peace Park on the site of the Sari Club.

Balinese authorities will push ahead with a peace park to commemorate the victims and survivors of the 2002 terrorist bombings, several years after the long-cherished idea was shelved.

The Badung local government authority confirmed late last week it had finally negotiated the purchase of the formerly privately owned land on which the Sari Club once stood in Bali’s Kuta nightclub district, clearing the biggest obstacle for development of the site.

The Australian understands the federal government will ­announce as early as this week a $4.4m contribution – initially earmarked by the Morrison government in 2019 – towards the design and construction of a ­museum and park on the land.

While plans for the site ­opposite the current Bali bombings memorial plaque have not yet been released, it is understood it will include a park for quiet reflection and a museum detailing what happened and how the Indonesian tourist island recovered.

Badung Regency chair I Gusti Anom Gunmanti said the project was already in the planning and design stage and the council ­expected to begin construction early next year. “This museum will store important documents (related to) the Bali bombing tragedy, as well as being a reminder to future generations to always maintain peace,” he said.

Proceeds from Bali’s $10 tourist tax are believed to have helped buy the land.

The October 12, 2002, twin bombings of the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar remain Indonesia’s most deadly terrorist strike, with 202 people killed, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians, and hundreds more injured.

Australian and Indonesian survivors and relatives of the victims have been pushing for more than two decades to secure the land to create a park along the lines of the downtown Manhattan 9/11 memorial.

The Australia-based Bali Memorial Association, which had for years tried to negotiate the purchase of the Sari club site from the previous owners, hailed the news of the sale as a welcome breakthrough.

Association treasurer Keith Pearce, whose son survived the attacks, said the Badung ­Regency’s plans were “a great outcome after all these years of struggle”.

“If the site can be turned into somewhere that promotes peace in the world whilst telling the story of those who suffered, then I think it would be a great thing,” he said.

Melbourne man Jan Laczynski, who lost five friends in the tragedy and remains a regular visitor to Bali, said he too was thrilled at the news.

“This is Australia’s chance to work with the Indonesians to make sure this tragedy is never forgotten and that we have a peaceful place where we can ­remember our friends,” he said.