The safest hotel (from suicide bombing) in Jakarta
August 11th, 2008
I met this diplomat from one of European countries at Starbucks several days ago. He was about 30 something years old, and has been in Jakarta for two and half years (his previous post was Washington, DC, US).
The atmosphere was nice. I paid for my own meal and so did he. After the “main course” (the key talk between us, which was confidential so I wouldnt disclose it), came the chit-chat. The general, usual, talk.
I asked him where he stayed. “Borobudur hotel,” he replied.
He said he was concerned with bombings in Indonesia. Bali, Marriott hotel, and Australian embassy were all hit. Those bombings make him want to choose a considerably safe hotel to live in Jakarta.
So why Borobudul hotel? What’s so safe about it?
And here comes his answer. “‘coz it’s owned by Tomy Winata,” he said.
I couldnt help feeling so amazed. I never thought like that before.