July 17th, 2009
The New Zealander killed in deadly bomb blasts in Indonesia was a top businessman who has been working in Indonesia for a number of years.
Timothy Mackay was president director of the Swiss-based Holcim cement company in Jakarta.
Mackay, 62, had gone to the Marriott Hotel for a business meeting.
He is one of nine people killed and dozens injured in a series of blasts on luxury hotels in central Jakarta. The toll may rise with reports of a third, a car bomb, in the last few hours.
Ritz Carlton and J.W. Marriott luxury hotels have been shattered but who set off the bombs, how and why are mysteries to Indonesian authorities.
What they have confirmed is that one of the explosions took the life of the New Zealander.
Mackay was an MBA graduate from Massey University, according to his company profile. Before moving to Indonesia he had run the company’s Fiji operation for five years.
A doctor says Jakarta hospitals are treating more than 40 casualties, 13 of them foreigners, no surprise in a district where many expatriates live, stay or dine frequently.
The blasts hit the Marriott at 7.40am local time and minutes later at the Ritz-Carlton.
Indonesian authorities say it’s an obvious and deliberate pattern but no-one has claimed responsibility for the explosions..
Some suggest it’s a splinter of the extremist militant network Jemaah Islamiah whose members struck the Marriott six years ago, almost to the month. That attack killed 12.
Friday’s bombings follow a period of relative peace in Indonesia that has been shattered.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the embassy in Jakarta is working to find out the well-being of all New Zealanders in Jakarta. They are talking to local authorities and checking hospitals and hotels.
Witnesses at the scene told Indonesian Metro TV that the injured, including Indonesians and foreigners, were seen being taken away in ambulances.
“Some windows of the Ritz-Carlton building have been shattered, mostly on the lower section. I’m looking at it from my office,” said Myra Junor, who works at a nearby building.
Windows at the Marriott were also shattered.
MFAT says it is contacting all New Zealanders who are registered on its safe travel website as being in Jakarta to check their well-being.
There are 281 New Zealanders registered as being in Jakarta.
New Zealanders concerned about family members in Jakarta should try to make contact with them.
Those with concerns about the wellbeing of relatives may call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 04 439 8000, with as many contact details as possible.
New Zealanders currently in Jakarta are encouraged to make contact with friends and family in New Zealand to allay any concerns.
Prime Minister John Key is expressing sorrow that a New Zealander has been killed in the explosions.
“Everything I have seen suggests that this is a deliberate attack designed to kill and wound innocent people,” Key said.
“While we are still receiving information from the Embassy about what happened, I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the New Zealander killed.
“I extend my deepest sympathy also to the people of Indonesia and all others who have been caught up in this terrible event.”
Key is planning to contact Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
MFAT will be providing updates as more details become available.
Posted in News | Tags: Indonesia Bombing, Jakarta Bombing, Kill, Luxury Hotel, Marriott, New Zealande, Ritz Carlton
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