Bali Bomb 'Had Positive Aspects'

A key Bali bombing suspect has said the attack had “positive aspects” because they encouraged people to re-embrace religion and weakened the corrupting influence of foreign tourists. Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, who was giving evidence at his own trial, has admitted buying the explosives and the minivan used in last October’s blast, which killed 202 people. But the 40-year-old mechanic denied that the attack was the work of the regional militant Muslim group, Jemaah Islamiah, as is suspected by police. Seven suspected JI members were arrested in Indonesia last week. On Monday, a small blast hit the country’s parliament, although it caused no casualties. It was not clear who was responsible. Amrozi said “places of sin” such as nightclubs were now quieter as a result of the Bali blasts, which destroyed the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar, in Kuta. “With this incident, God willing, many people realise that they had forgotten God and neglected their worship and avoided places of worship so that mosques became empty, churches became deserted, monasteries and temples also became empty without occupants or visitors,” he said. Full Story