Bali Bombings: Mark McGowan renews calls for Umar Patek not be permitted to walk free

WA Governor Chris Dawson and Premier Mark McGowan have both renewed calls for the bomb maker central to the horrific 2002 terrorist attack on two Bali nightclubs not to be permitted to walk free having served just half his Indonesian prison sentence.

Umar Patek was jailed for 20 years in 2012 for his key role in the Kuta bombings, which claimed the lives of 202 people – including 88 Australians, 16 of whom were from WA.

A further 240 people were injured in the slaughter after separate bombs ripped through popular nightclubs Sari Club and Paddy’s Irish Bar exactly 20 years ago on Wednesday.

In August it emerged Patek had received his 11th sentence reduction and was due to be released from prison early for “good behaviour”, with Indonesian authorities claiming he had been deradicalised.

No official release date has been confirmed but Patek – a member of Islamic terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah at the time of the bombings – could now walk free at any time.

Addressing survivors and the families of victims on the 20th anniversary of the terror attack, Mr Dawson said it was an occasion to “renew our love for the Balinese people and those who have generously welcomed West Australians over the years and continue to do so despite the tragedies that has taken place.”

But he said it was also a time to remember Australia would never accept extreme ideologies and attacks targeting innocent victims.

“We recommit ourselves to the condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and do call on our Indonesian friends and neighbours to uphold the proper process of justice for perpetrators,” Mr Dawson said.

Mr McGowan said he understood the Australian Government had lobbied Indonesia to “at least make sure that whatever the penalty (Patek) is required to serve, he serves”.

“I think that’s appropriate,” the Premier said.

“Clearly, killing 202 people in a murderous terrorist attack is something that is pretty serious.

“And I’d hope that the Indonesian authorities would make sure the full force of the law and whatever penalty he had is not reduced by some non-judicial process.”

Indonesian Consul General in Perth Listiana Operananta also addressed the survivors breakfast – which followed a commemorative service at the Bali Memorial in Kings Park – revealing she had a personal friend who lost three relatives in the 2002 bombings.

“As a friend, I can see that the feeling of loss will always surround the whole family and healing is a long and slow process,” she said.

“The tragedy has brought deep scars and wounds, visible and invisible, to victims, families and our surrounding community.”

Ms Operananta also reiterated the “strong cooperation” between Indonesia and Australia, which she said was “our primary partner in combatting terrorism”.

“Indonesia appreciates the close and continuing cooperation with Australia over the years in counterterrorism, with a (suite of) comprehensive measures which includes prevention, law enforcement and rehabilitation,” she said.