Economist escaped from Jakarta bombings

Economist Umar Juoro escaped from Friday morning bombings at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton.

Noke Kiroyan, former Rio Tinto and Newmont CEO in Indonesia, one of the survivors of the JW Marriott bombing told TVOne this morning that Umar Juoro is a regular participant of Indonesia Country Program (ICP) Breakfast Roundtable organized by Castle Asia.

"I was sitting in the corner of the table, on the right side of James Castle. We usually have Umar Juoro, but he didn't attend the Friday meeting," Kiroyan said.

Umar Juoro is a commissioner at Bank International Indonesia (BII) and researcher at The Habibie Center. 

Kiroyan has been released from MMC Hospital. He suffered hearing problem from his right ear. He needs further surgery to recover that. 

Four participants of the meeting (Timothy Mackay/CEO of Holcim Indonesia, Nathan Verity/CEO of Verity HR, Garth McEvoy/Manager at Thiess Contractors, and Craig Senger/diplomat at Australian Embassy) died of the blasts, while 14 others injured. (Read our previous reports)

Other name listed to participate in the ICP Breakfast Roundtable is Patrick Foo (country manager of AEL Indonesia, subsidiary of explosive giant African Explosive Ltd). But no information available whether Patrick attended the meeting or not.

Kiroyan described the morning meeting as regular roundtable organized by Castle Group. James Castle and Max Boon from Castle Asia are among the victims. "Before the blast, Jim Castle and I had a little chat. Jim asked how's life, I said "life's good", and then..."

Unfortunately Kiroyan didn't see the face of the bomber because he was sitting against the entrance door of JW Lounce. 

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Who is the bomber?

Police identified the suicide bomber at JW Marriott Hotel with initials "NA". Speculations pointed to Nur Aziz. Who is he? 

Abdurrahman Assegaf, chairman of Indonesian Islam Movement (GUII), described Nur Aziz as member of Noordin M. Top's group. Assegaf said Nur Azis has other names Nur Sahid and Nur Hasbi or Nurhasbi who stayed at Marriott's Room 1808. Detik.com published Nur Sahid's picture few hours ago.

Nur Hasbi, according to Assegaf, lived in Katekan village, Ngadirejo, Temanggung, Central Java. Born in Temanggung, July 24, 1974, Nur Hasbi is linked to Asmar Latin Sani, bomber at Australian Embassy few years ago. Both are graduated from Al-Mukmin Ngruki Islamic boarding school.

Assegaf claimed that Nur Hasbi was recruited by Tedy AKA Reno AKA Mubarok, who is considered Noordin M. Top's assistant. Nurhasbi, according to Assegaf, entered JW Marriott with three of his friends and paid US$1400 deposit to stay at Room 1808 since July 15. When check-in at Marriott, Nurhasbi reportedly used fake ID with an address at Pondok Pinang village, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

Nurhasbi, reportedly, married in Klaten, Central Java in 2003 to Ida Parwati. Assegaf claimed Friday bombings have been planned since January 2009.

"So, their target is not President SBY. They don't care about who's the president. Their goal is clear, to establish an Islamic State," Assegaf said.

Sidney Jones, director of International Crisis Group (ICG), said Nur Aziz is Nur Hasbi, member of Noordin M. Tops's network. "They both graduated from Ngruki in 1995," Jones said.

But director of the boarding school, Sholeh Ibrahim, denied the school had a student registered under the name of Nur Hasbi. Ibrahim alleged Assegaf's explanations were groundless and defamed the institution.

Meanwhile Nur Sahid or Nur Hasbi's father, Muhammad Nasir, as quoted by Inilah.com, believes his son is not the suicide bomber at Marriott. "I hope that's not my son, and I hope that's wrong," he said in his home in Temanggung on Sunday. According to Nasir, his son, wife, and two sons have never returned to the village since 2001.

Nur Sahid or Nurhasbi's younger brother Udi Mas'ud told Detik.com that the family doesn't believe Nur Sahid is a member of Jamaah Islamiyah recruited by Tedy or Mubarok. Mas'ud said last time Nur Sahid back home was in 2005. Nur Sahid is son of H. Muh Nasir and Hj Tumini with six siblings. He reportedly enrolled to Ngruki boarding school led by Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. 

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Explosive exec escaped Jakarta bombings (?)

Patrick Foo, general manager of PT AEL Indonesia, a subsidiary of Africal Explosive Limited (AEL), one of the world's leading supplier of commercial explosive, was listed as participant of ICP Breakfast Roundtable at JW Marriott Hotel, Jakarta. 

No information about his whereabout. He is not listed as one of the victims of the bombings at Marriott and Ritz-Carlton. Data from three hospitals treating the victims shown none of Patrick Foo's name.

Sources said he might not attended the meeting at all. Well, hope he was not there and that should be his luckiest day.

Three executives, listed as participants of the roundtable meeting, have reportedly killed from the bomb blasts at Marriott's JW Lounge Friday morning. They are Timothy Mackay (CEO of Holcim), Garth McEvoy (manager at Thiess Contractors), and Nathan Verity (Verity HR owner and founder). 

Other participants were seriously injured including executives from Freeport Indonesia, Chevron, Anadarko, Husky Oil, Alstom Power, Perfetti van Melle, Oil Tanking, Hill & Associate, Castle Asia, and JAC Indonesia.

AEL started its expansion in Indonesia two years ago in the trading of ammonium nitrate, plus a consignment of initiating system, for explosives. AEL announced in March 2008 that it was establishing its first offshore shocktube detonator assembly plant in Indonesia to be commissioned third quarter this year.

Police has identified five bodies (Tim Mackay, McEvoy, Verity, Arnold/Singaporean, and Darmanto/Indonesia). Four other dead bodies have yet to be identified. There are confusions about number of suicide bombers, two or three. 

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Marriott-Ritz bombings & Energy Meeting (2)

One by one, mystery surround the Marriott & Ritz-Carlton bombings in Jakarta on Friday uncovered. Information about the precise location of the bomb blast at Marriott Hotel might lead to answer of question about the bomber's motives.

Detik.com reported that the bomb blast at JW Lounge on Friday, July 17, not Syailendra Restaurant as generally reported before. JW Lounge is not a public area. JW Lounge usually booked for special events like breakfast meeting, just like what happened Friday morning when more than 15 executives from companies in energy, mining, and other sectors assembled.

Key witness who survived the attack but currently treated at Jakarta hospital, Didik Ahmad Taufik, said the suspected bomber with travel bags walked to the JW Lounge. Taufik, a security officer at the hotel, was right in front of the JW Lounge. "When he approached the door of JW Lounge, I was suspicious so I checked him," he said.

Tempointeraktif.com quoted Taufik that the security officer of Marriott actually asked the man with travel bag asking why he wanted to go to JW Lounge. The man replied, "I want to give something my boss ordered."

Taufik let the man in because he didn't want to get complaints from the hotel's guest. "If his boss was in the room, I just don't want to get complaints," Taufik explained saying he handed over the "guest" to his colleague. When Taufik turned his back and walked to the hotel's lobby,  

seconds later, the bomb blasts.

In the JW Lounge, executives were having their regular breakfast meeting titled Indonesia Country Program (ICP) Breakfast Roundtable. They are executives of major multinationals like Freeport Indonesia, Chevron, Anadarko, Husky Oil, Alstom Power, Thiess Contractors, Oil Tanking, Holcim, AEL (explosives) etc. Three executives reportedly killed. Others are seriously injured. Two Freeport executives (Adrianto Machribi and David Potter), one from Anadarko (Kevin S. Moore), and Cindy Edward (US citizen) have been evacuated to Singapore hospitals for medical treatment.

Energy and mineral resources minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro had earlier dismissed speculation that the executive meeting was the prime target of the brutal act. Analyst Sidney Jones in an interview aired by MetroTV few hours ago also indirectly dismissed the speculation when she said the terrorists were looking for "strong symbols" in the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton names, not necessarily because they knew about the breakfast meeting. Jones believes the bombings have nothing to do with presidential election protests.

Friday bombings killed nine people, including at least three executives attended the meeting (Timothy Mackay/CEO of Holcim Indonesia, Garth McEvoy/manager of Thiess Contractors, and Nathan Verity/Verity HR). Australian media reported diplomat Craig Senger, trade officer at Australian Embassy, is also feared to have died but this has not been confirmed. About 53 people injured, including 16 foreigners (six Americans, one Australian, 2 Netherlands, 2 Canadian, one Indian, two South Korean, one New Zealand, and one Norway).

Please read our previous reports about the meeting.

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Freeport Execs evacuated to Singapore hospital

Two executives of gold and copper mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia, injured in Marriott-Ritz-Carlton bombings in Jakarta, have been evacuated to Singapore's National University Hospital Friday night.

 Kompas.com reported that Adriancto Machribie (commissioner of Freeport, former CEO) and David Potter (vice president exploration) arrived at Singapore's NUH on Friday, July 17 last night. They were treated at Medistra Hospital, Jakarta. But Freeport Indonesia requested the transfer to Singapore hospital with approval from their respective families.

Both executives were among over 70 victims of the bombings (consisted of over 60 people injured and about nine people killed). Adrianto and David (US citizen) were among executives attended Indonesia Country Program (ICP) Breakfast Roundtable organized at JW Marriott Hotel on Friday morning.

Other executives were Gary Ford (Anadarko Petroleum, US citizen), Garth McEvoy (Thiess Contractors), Simon Lowes (Chevron), Kevin S. Moore (Husky Oil, Canadian), Peter Van Wessel (Oil Tanking Ltd), James Castle (Castle Asia, US citizen), Max Boon (Castle Asia, Netherland citizen), Andrew Cobham (Hill & Associate), Timothy Mackay (Holcim Indonesia, NZ citizen), Nathan Verity (Verity HR, Australian), Noke Kiroyan (Kiroyan & Partners, Indonesian), Edward Thiessen (Alstom Power, Canadian), Pedro Sole (Alstom Power), Roy Widosuwito (Perfetti van Melle, Indonesian), etc. Police had confirmed the death of Mackay and Verity. McEvoy is also reportedly killed in the Marriott bombing.

Other executives are currently treated in various hospitals in Jakarta for injuries with only Kiroyan has been released to get medical treatment fro his private doctors.

This is clearly sad news for Freeport especially after series of shootings near its Grasberg gold and copper mine last week that killed three people, including security officers.

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Jakarta Bombings & Unanswered Questions

Victor Mokodompis is waiting clarification from police whether Evert Mokodompis, staff at JW Marriott Hotel, is one of the victims. Others wonder about how many people actually killed in the Friday bombings.

For sure, the Friday bombings left several unanswered questions:

(1) How many people died from the bombings? Formal announcement: 9 people killed. But police hospital received 15 bags of dead bodies.

(2) How many people seriously injured?

(3) Who are the suicide bombers?

(4) What is the relationship between the bombers and terrorist groups? Which group?

(5) What is the relationship between the bombers and political groups?

(6) What were the motives? Anti-US? Upset with the election results?

(7) What is the relationship between the bombings and the ICP Breakfast Roundtable? Is it a coincidence? Something to do with series of shootings in Freeport, Papua? 

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Marriott-Ritz bombings & The Bombers

Police expects to disclose the identity of two suicide bombers that killed nine people at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta on Friday by this afternoon. One of them identified as Nurdin A who stayed at Marriott for about one week.

Nurdin, according to police, stayed at Rom 1808 and he is believed to have assemble the bombs in that hotel. Police found it difficult to identify the other bomber.

Hermawan Sulistyo, member of Bali Bomb investigation team, said the bombers might be members of Noordin M. Top's terrorism network based on explosive materials used. "The explosive materials are the same with those in Bali Bomb. Police also said the materials are the same with those found in Cilacap, Central Java. SO, the pattern is similar," Sulistyo told Inilah.com this morning.

Still, he noted several differences. First, it is unusual to attack the same target, even though for a longer period of time (between the attacks). Second, the measures used this time could categorized "luxury" if the bomber really stayed in the hotel for a long period of time. Bombers rarely stayed in the targeted objects. "Staying in Marriott cost you Rp1.5 million (US$150) per night. For a week? It's costly," Sulistyo said.

Sidney Jones, director for International Crisis Group (ICG) suspected the bombers are member of Noordin M. Top group. "If police was right about suicide bombing, this is pointed to old groups surrounding Noordin M. Top. But this is just a speculation," Jones said.

Noordin is considered a mastermind of Bali bombing which killed at least 202 people, mostly foreign visitors, in October 2002. Other related group mentioned is Jamaag Islamiyah.

Jamaah Islamiyah is also accused of carrying out a 2003 attack on JW Marriott in 2003, a 2004 attack on the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, and 2005 triple suicide bombings at restaurants in Bali.

Others speculate on the relationship between series of shootings in Freeport Indonesia's mine in Papua and the Friday bombings mainly because of two Freeport executives (Adrianto Magribi and David Potter) were among the victims.

But political observer Syamsudin Harris dismissed the connection arguing. Haris blamed police and government who were too busy dealing with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) issue.

Police also found an active bomb at Room 1808. The guy at Room 1808 reportedly ordered coffee before the explosion. Police investigates the connection between ICP Breakfast Roundtable attended by executives of mining and energy companies at Marriott and the bomber's motives.

Police has yet to confirm whether the bomber at Ritz-Carlton also stayed in the hotel or just a "guest". Police is investigating the man caught by Ritz' CCTV entering the hotel's restaurant before the blast.  

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Hill & Associate exec severely injured

Andrew (Andy) Stewart Cobham, CEO of PT Hill Konsultan Indonesia, a unit of Hong Kong-based intelligence service company Hill & Associates, is severely wounded from bomb blast at JW Marriott Hotel, Jakarta today. 

According to famous MTV VJ Shanty, a family friend, Andy needs surgery on the back of his head hit by shattered glasses of Marriott Hotel. Even more sadness to his family, Andy's leg needs an amputation due to serious wounds, Kompas.com reported. 

Andy is among executives attended a breakfast meeting at the hotel this morning when a suicide bomb blasts and killed at least six people at the scene.

Andy was appointed country manager of Hill and Associates in July 14, 2008. Andy held the position of president director and country manager of PT Motorola Indonesia from 1998-2006. According to Hill & Associates' website, since then Andy has acted in a private consultant capacity. He has been a frequent advisor to the government of Indonesia on infrastructure development as well as an advisor to several Indonesian as well as multinational companies. Andy is also vice chairman of Mastel, an industry consultative body to the government of Indonesia on all matters related to IT and telecommunications. 

He is also a governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia, chairs the telecommunications committee of that body and is also a director of the Indonesian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

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Noke Kiroyan survives bomb attack

Noke Kiroyan, former CEO of Rio Tinto and Newmont in Indonesia, survived a suicide bomb blast that killed nine people including CEO of Holcim Indonesia Timothy Mackay and commercial manager of Thiess Indonesia Garth McEvoy.

Kiroyan was among executives attended ICP Breakfast Roundtable from various companies including Freeport, Alstom, Thiess, Holcim, Anadarko, Chevron, and Husky. Kiroyan was treated at MMC Hospital with other victims, including two executives of Castle Group (James Castle and Max Boon).

Kiroyan, founder of Kiroyan-Kuhon Partners (consulting firm), according to Puni Anjungsari (senior associate at Kiroyan Partners) said after few hours of medical treatment, MMC hospital released Noke Kiroyan and allowed him to get medical treatment at his home by private doctors. Noke Kiroyan was injured, hit in his right face and in the back. "He will be treated with intensive care by private doctors," Anjungsari told Antara tonight.
Edward Thiessen (52), country director of Alstom Power Indonesia, also survived the bomb attacks. He is currently treated at Pertamina hospital for mild burns in chests, legs and hands. Doctors at Pertamina hospital described Thiessen's condition improved.

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Thiess executive died in Marriott-Ritz bombings

Garth McEvoy, commercial manager at PT Thies Contractors Indonesia, has identified as one of nine people died from bombings at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta.  

Detik.com reported that McEvoy was killed at Syailendra Restaurant, JW Marriott, Mega Kuningan Jakarta this morning. He was one of executives slated to participate in ICP Breakfast Roundtable attended by energy and mining executives. McEvoy died at the bomb scene.

Police Hospital Kramat Jati, Jakarta, confirmed Garth McEvoy as one of the victims killed in the bombings. Others are Timothy D. Mackay (CEO of PT Holcim Indonesia), Nathan Verity (Australian), Arnold (Singaporean), Darmanto (Indonesian), and one woman (unidentified). Nathan is the owner of Nathan Verity, HR consulting firm. Mackay died after being taken to Medistra Hospital for treatment.

PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia is one of the largest mining contractors in Indonesia. (hs/ya)

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Marriott-Ritz bombings & energy meeting

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro dismissed speculation that the bomb attacks at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton are related to a meeting of energy and mining executives scheduled this morning at Marriott.

"Is it a coincidence?" one of our readers asked about several executives of energy and mining companies injured and killed in the attacks.

Detik.com reported that these executives have a monthly breakfast meeting titled ICP Breakfast Roundtable scheduled this morning at Marriott. Participants were reportedly:

(1) Edward Thiessen: Country Manager of Alstom Power, being treated at Pertamina hospital.

(2) Pedro Sole: Senior Vice President Alstom Power

(3) David Potter: Vice President Exploration Freeport Indonesia, treated at Medistra Hospital.

(4) Andrew (Andy) Cobham: Hill & Associate, country manager of PT Hill Konsultan Indonesia, being treated at MMC Hospital.

(5) Timothy Mackay: CEO of Holcim Indonesia, died at Medistra Hospital.

(6) Kevin S. Moore: General Manager of Husky Energy, being treated at MMC Hospital.

(7) Mariko Asmara Yoshihara: JAC Indonesia, being treated at MMC Hospital.

(8) Noke Kiroyan: Kiroyan-Kuhon Partners, injured, but has been released from MMC Hospital.

(9) Roy Widosuwito: President Perfetti Van Melle Indonesia

(10) Nathan Verity: Verity HR

(11) James Castle: Castle Asia, currently hospitalized at MMC Hospital.

(12) Max Boon: Castle Asia, being treated at MMC Hospital.

(13) Gary Ford: General Manager Anadarko Indonesia, evacuated to Singapore hospital.

(14) Peter van Wessel: General Manager Oil Tanking, transfered to Singapore hospital.  

Police suspected the man behind the bombs is Nurdin A, who stayed at Marriott Room No. 1808 for almost one week. Police found an active bomb in his room. Police also suspected two suicide bombers at Ritz-Carlton and one at Marriott.

About 16 victims have been released from MMC Hospital, including Noke Kiroyan. Others are Catur Rindu, Cho Ing Sang, Hui Bosco Keung, Jame Makkeba, Janter Rusmanto, Linda, Meliana, Putra, Regi Salstad (Norway), Rinaldi Damanik, Sarah, Shweta Shukita, William, Yunita Kartikasari, and Scott Merrillees (left MMC to continue medical treatment in SIngapore).

Back to our reader's question: is it a coincidence? Is it by design? For what? Most believe international terrorism network is behind the attacks. Hopefully police could investigate thoroughly. Police said the suicide bombings are identical to Jamaah Islamiyah network. (hs/ya) 

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Famous names as victims of Marriott-Ritz explosions

List of famous names as victims of explosions at JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels that killed nine people so far has been expanded. Other than Holcim CEO Tim Mackay who died from the Marriott explosion, former CEO of Freeport Indonesia is currently hospitalized at Medistra Hospital.

Former Freeport Indonesia CEO Adrianto Magribi is hospitalized at Medistra Hospital, Jakarta. But according to Christine Hakim, a family friend, Magribi is injured with burn in his face and continuous bleeding from his toe hit by shattered glasses.

According to Hakim, Adrie and his wife were about to have breakfast in one of the hotels. Adrianto Magribi, currently a commissioner for Freeport, is scheduled for medical treatment in Singapore hospital. Freeport vice president David Potter is among the victims as well.

Other famous name is Noke Kiroyan, former CEO of PT Kaltim Prima Coal and PT Newmont Indonesia. Kiroyan is currently treated at MMC Hospital, Kuningan, Jakarta. 

James Castle, political consultant from Castle Group, is reportedly also a victim and currently being treated by MMC Hospital, Jakarta.

Meanwhile Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Body (BP Migas) confirmed three executives from multinational oil and gas companies are also victims of the explosions. They are Gary Ford (General Manager for Anadarko Indonesia), Kevin S. Moore (General manager of Husky Oil North Sumatra Ltd), and one from Chevron (unidentified yet). All of them are seriously injured. Ford might be evacuated to Singapore for medical treatment, while Moore will have surgery at Jakarta's MMC Hospital. They were at Marriott for breakfast.

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Nine killed in Ritz & Marriott explosions

Nine people, including Holcim Indonesia CEO Timothy Mackay, killed in the explosions at two 5-star hotels, Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott, Mega Kuningan business district, Jakarta this morning.

Timothy was in a business meeting at Marriott when the bomb exploded. Our source said the bomb at Marriott is a suicide bomb. Dr Cahyono from Jakarta Hospital confirmed six people died. Chrisnanda Dwilaksana from Jakarta Metropolitan Police also confirmed six people died in the explosions.

Media quoted Alex Asmasubrata, businessman and politician, who was in the scene witnessing the explosions saying he saw four bodies were taken out of the Marriott.

Another witness, Greg Woolstencroft, said he saw a dead body in the hotel. "I guess he might have been a suicide bomber or someone very, very close to the explosion," he told CNN.

Department of Health announced eight people killed and 49 injured in the explosions. About 36 people are treated by MMC Hospital, one at Pertamina, and 11 at Jakarta Hospital.

Coordinating minister for politic, security, and law, Widodo AS, explained nine people killed, of which six died at Marriott Hotel, two at Ritz Carlton, and one at Medistra Hospital. "This is a high explosive type of bomb," he said. But he declined to confirm whether they were terrorism attacks. 

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Holcim CEO died in Ritz & Marriott explosion

Detik.com reported Timothy Mackay, CEO of PT Holcim Indonesia, died at Medistra Hospital, Jakarta. He is one of the victims of two explosions at JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jakarta this morning.

Dedy Nugroho, corporate communication at Holcim Indonesia told Detik.com few minutes ago that Mackay just passed away at the hospital. He was at Marriott Hotel for a business meeting.

Noke Kiroyan, former CEO of Newmont in Indonesia, is currently treated at MMC Hospital Jakarta. He is among 29 victims currently handled by the hospital. The other 11 victims are treated at Jakarta Hospital. No information from Medistra Hospital yet.

Sources said both are suicide bombs. But police has yet to clarify. Associated Press quoted dr Cahyono from Jakarta Hospital saying six people died in the explosion.

Tim Mackay is the CEO of Holcim Indonesia since May 2004. Born in New Zealand, Mackay holds an MBA from Massey University in NZ. He was managing director of Holcim (Lanka) Ltd in 2001. 

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