JAKARTA – The family of a businessman killed in Indonesia have paid tribute to a “good and honourable man” and vowed to be relentless in seeking justice for his death.
Robert Ellis, 60, will be laid to rest in New Zealand after his death in Bali last week, which police allege was organised by his Indonesian wife of 25 years, Noor Ellis.
Their sons John, 23, and Peter, 19, both Perth-based students, will today try to visit their mother in police custody after being prevented on the weekend.
The brothers, along with their uncle David, and Mr Ellis’ two children from a previous marriage, Kelvin and Christina, released a family statement on yesterday.
In it, they said it was important to set the record straight, as much of what had been reported in the media was based on rumour.
“Bob was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, brother, son and husband,” the statement read.
“His loss leaves a hole in the lives of everyone he touched.”
They said his business had created jobs for thousands of Indonesians. He was a good and honourable man.
“His integrity, generosity and spirit is evidenced by the way the business community both expat and Indonesian, have rallied to support us and to pay their respects. As a family we are unified and will be relentless in seeking answers and justice for what has occurred in this tragedy.”
The family also thanked those who had helped them and said they were now focused on farewelling Mr Ellis “with dignity and respect”.
About 30 people attended a service for Mr Ellis held in Bali last week. Family friend Ross Taylor says John and Peter Ellis, students at Edith Cowan University, are deeply mourning their father, who they spoke to by phone almost daily.
