Press Statement
by DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka, Kerk Kim Hock
in Petaling Jaya
on Wednesday, 16.10.2002

Bali Bomb Blasts: Senseless act of terrorism

The death of nearly 200 people and injury to hundreds more at Kuta Beach, Bali is a senseless act of terrorism that is unprovoked, unnecessary and unjustified.

The bomb blasts have not only caused loss of innocent lives, they will also have adverse effects on the economy of the South East Asian countries as these countries will definitely experience a decline in the number of foreign tourists and investors.

In fact, in the Global Confidence Index 2002 released recently, it already cited the fear of terrorism as a concern that Malaysia must address in order to check the decline of foreign direct investment. Bali bomb blasts have certainly worsened things for Malaysia though the degree of impact is yet to be known.

I agree with the Prime Minister Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Malaysia is not immuned from acts of terrorism .As terrorism reaches closer to home, Malaysians must stand as one to reject militancy of any sort.

The September 11 carnage made Americans realise that the world's most powerful nation was after all vulnerable. The Bali bomb blasts have made the world realise that terrorism can hit anywhere.

It is therefore time that the international community makes sincere, serious an urgent efforts to address and resolve the root causes of terrorism. America, in particular, must accept the reality that increased frustration, hatred and desperation will only create more retaliation.