Easter Memory: The Bomb Tragedy At Makassar Cathedral Will Never Happen Again In Indonesia

The carcass of a motorbike used by a suicide bomber at the Makassar Cathedral Church ahead of Easter celebrations on March 28, 2021. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - A suicide bombing in front of the Cathedral Church had tarnished the first day of Easter Holy Week in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Indonesia, even the world is grieving because of it. Moreover, the perpetrators of the bombing were a husband and wife affiliated with the terrorist network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).

The high-explosive pot bomb he carried killed dozens of people. As a result, Makassar residents' sense of security during the Easter event was disturbed. Hope arose. Hopefully this incident doesn't happen again.

Sunday, March 28, 2021, is the toughest day for all Makassar residents. On that day, the explosion occurred shortly after the second mass was held. The perpetrators are a husband and wife.

The two of them came to the Makassar Cathedral Church by motorbike. The target is the Cathedral Church. However, security officers swiftly tried to stop the perpetrators.

Police guard at the Makassar Cathedral Church after the bomb exploded on Easter week, March 28, 2021. (ANTARA)

The security guard prevented him from entering. However, the bomb exploded in front of the Makassar cathedral, right at 10.28 WITA. The death toll also fell. The two perpetrators died. Meanwhile, the injured victims from the residents, including security officers to the congregation, reached 20 people.

The victim was immediately evacuated and rushed to a nearby hospital. In order to get intensive treatment. The explosion then immediately became a byword throughout Indonesia. Because, footage emerged from CCTV from a nearby location playing the seconds of the bombing.

According to Pastor Wilhelmus Tulak, the bomb that exploded was quite large. Everyone at the location was shocked by it. The State Intelligence Agency (BIN) also spoke up. They identified a husband and wife (later: known to have the initials L and YSF) affiliated with the JAD terrorist network. The motive is believed to be revenge because their previous mentor was shot dead by law enforcement.

"The people who took part in the second worship service have gone home. Incidentally, the church has several entrances and exits, so they don't concentrate on one door. However, our security officers have observed them and he held them at the gate and that's where the explosion occurred," said Pastor. Makassar Cathedral Church, Father Wilhelmus Tulak told the media.

Jokowi cursed

The suicide bombing brought grief to all Indonesian citizens. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is no exception. Indonesia's number one person immediately took a stand by ordering the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to take part in thoroughly investigating the network of perpetrators to the roots.

He also firmly stated that terrorism – regardless of its form – is a crime against humanity. It has nothing to do with religious teachings. Therefore, Jokowi hopes that law enforcement can take measured actions to break the chain of terrorist acts in Indonesia.

“Terrorism is a crime against humanity and has nothing to do with any religion. All religious teachings reject terrorism, whatever the reason. The entire state apparatus will not allow this terrorism. I ask the public to be calm in carrying out their worship because the state guarantees religious people to worship without fear," concluded Jokowi in an official statement on the Presidential Secretariat Youtube, Sunday, March 29, 2021.