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Foreigners living here often fall in love with the country, proclaiming they “want to be part of Indonesia.” But for businessman Max Boon, that claim is nothing short of astonishing. 

The Dutchman, who has every reason to quit Indonesia for good after being maimed and almost dying in the terrorist bombings of two upscale Jakarta hotels last July, now says he wishes only peace for the nation and has voiced an emotional wish to stay and marry his sweetheart. 

An executive at consulting firm Castle Asia, Boon was at the JW Marriott Hotel on July 17 attending a monthly businesspeople’s breakfast meeting organized by his firm. Nine people were killed in the blast there and across the road at the Ritz-Carlton, and 52 were injured, including Boon. 

He was left with mangled legs, severe burns and shrapnel wounds, and was rushed to the hospital, then airlifted to Singapore where he slowly regained consciousness. He lost both of his legs and is confined to a wheelchair, and he also remained in limbo about his future for weeks as others rallied to help him pay the huge cost of his medical recovery. 

But back in Indonesia on Thursday, Boon made his first public appearance since the bombings to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. “Indonesia is not a dangerous place to live in,” he said at a news conference afterward. “I hope after what has happened, Indonesia can attain peace and move forward. I wish there will be no more victims like me.” 

Boon, who holds a degree in Indonesian language and culture from Leiden University, said he had learned much in his more than five years in Indonesia. 

“I learned that the Indonesian people are not in favor of the bombings,” he said. “I was also inspired by Indonesians who kept moving forward. That makes me want to be part of Indonesia.” 

“As far as I know, the government is really supportive of the victims,” he added. 

Asked what he expected from the Indonesian government, Boon said he wished only that Indonesian people would cooperate with the government to report anything suspicious around them. 

State news agency Antara quoted Yudhoyono as expressing his appreciation for Boon’s commitment to return. “He may have lost his legs, but not his heart, spirit or mind,” the president said. 

Yudhoyono reportedly wept after receiving a letter from Boon last year congratulating him on the 64th anniversary of the country’s independence. 

In a final emotional twist to Boon’s story, he said he intended to marry his longtime Indonesian girlfriend shortly. 

“It’s a romantic love story. Despite what has happened, they will still get married,” presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said. 

Boon’s story could help lift the xenophobia that has been a problem for a while, Dino added. 

“In the national discourse in Indonesia, many groups use the word ‘foreign’ as if it were a scourge. But Max’s statement brings new understanding that many foreigners truly love Indonesia,” he said. 

“We have to apply this understanding in our life.”