My Jakarta-based colleague Nasir Yusof had his hands full covering the bomb explosions at two luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital this morning.
Eight people were killed in the explosions at the JW Marriott Hotel and Ritz Carlton Hotel in the Mega Kuning commercial area.
The explosions within two minutes of each other, happened at 7.45am and 7.47am.
Having a bureau in Jakarta helps because it enables Bernama to get the news fast and first-hand.
As correspondent with multi-tasking responsibilities, Nasir not only provided the news for our wire service but gave voice reports for Bernama Radio24. His reports were picked up by Bernama TV as well.
Even RTM sought Nasir to provide situational reports for their bulletins.
As news agency, Bernama need to update such stories from time-to-time. For this, Nasir has to keep on his toes, constantly checking with his sources on the development. At one stage, he sms to alert me that he had updated the death toll to nine from four in his earlier report.
Yet before midnight, Nasir sent his last update with the confirmed number of eight dead, including two suicide bombers, in his story of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemning the attacks.
Footnote: The touring Manchester United team, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur today, was supposed to stay at the Jakarta Ritz Carlton after their Malaysian stop.
