Bomb Survivor Writes Book on Forgiveness, Meets Attackers

Twenty-three years after a bomb tore through Jakarta's J.W. Marriott Hotel, survivor Tony Soemarno walked into a prison to meet terrorism convicts face to face.

Tony was at the hotel in 2003 when the explosion changed his life forever. The physical wounds healed, but the emotional scars ran deeper than he could have imagined.

"At first it was very difficult to get up," Tony shared at a recent talk show in Jakarta marking the International Day of Victims of Terrorism. "However, I came to a point where I thought that even the perpetrators of terror are human beings who can do wrong."

His decision to forgive didn't come easily. Tony spent years working through trauma with support from Indonesia's National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), slowly rebuilding his sense of safety and purpose.

That support proved transformative. Instead of letting bitterness consume him, Tony channeled his experience into a book called "The Power of Forgiveness," documenting his journey from victim to advocate for peace.

Mariane Ka'awoan knows this path well. She survived the 2005 Tentena Market bombing in Poso and reached a similar conclusion about healing.

"If I don't forgive, I will not have peace and joy," Mariane explained. "Hatred never leaves peace."

Why This Inspires

Both survivors show that recovery requires more than time. It demands intentional support, the courage to face painful memories, and the choice to transform wounds into wisdom.

Indonesia's counterterrorism agency recently provided assistance to 34 terrorism survivors, recognizing that government support shouldn't end when the tragedy does. Survivors need long-term help to regain their dignity, security, and place in society.

Tony's prison visits aren't about forgetting what happened. They're about ensuring that one generation's trauma doesn't become the next generation's hatred.

His work embodies the theme "Healing Through Memories," the idea that acknowledging pain without being consumed by it creates space for growth. When survivors share their stories of choosing peace over vengeance, they offer living proof that cycles of violence can be broken.

The Indonesian government has made survivor support a key part of its counterterrorism strategy, understanding that helping victims rebuild their lives strengthens the entire nation's resilience against extremism.

When survivors like Tony and Mariane rise from tragedy to become voices for peace, they accomplish something remarkable: they turn their darkest experiences into lights that guide others toward healing.