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Indonesians detained in Saudi Arabia for bomb joke return home
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Triningsih Kamsi Wasih (left) and Umi Widayani Djaswati (second left) speak at a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta on Feb. 23 to convey a public apology for joking about having a bomb on a plane, which led to a month-long detainment by Saudi Arabian authorities. Foreign Ministry officials Arrmanatha Nasir (right) and Dicky Yunus (second right) cautioned anyone against inappropriate speech and behavior, especially related to security matters.
(Courtesy of Foreign Ministry/File)
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wo Indonesians detained in Saudi Arabia after joking about being in possession of explosive materials inside a plane have returned home following a month-long investigation.
The two women, 56-year-old Umi Widayani Djaswati and 50-year-old Triningsih Kamsi Wasih, both apologized to the Saudi king and to the Indonesian public for having caused a disturbance.
Umi and Triningsih reiterated the apology during a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta, adding that they had not realized the consequences of their actions. They also thanked the Indonesian government for facilitating their case and their return to Indonesia.
Top officials noted that intensive communication between Indonesian representatives in Jeddah and local authorities had resulted in the conclusion of the case at the investigative stage, without having it brought to court.
The investigation, Dicky said, had not found a bomb or hazardous materials in either person's bag.
"If it had been brought to court, the penalty could include five-year imprisonment for giving false information," the consular head of the Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, Dicky Yunus, told reporters.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir cautioned against inappropriate speech and behavior related to security matters, especially concerning the public at large, which could have legal and lengthy implications.
"When on the plane, they joked that the suitcase contained a bomb and this had an extended impact, because remarks like this, although delivered in jest, at airports, and in a plane in particular, will always be taken seriously by security personnel," Arrmanatha said. (evi)
