Paul Vanni, former president of the Coogee Dolphins Sports Club, said nothing good could come from their release.
"This is one of those things that just keeps bringing up emotional wounds and opening emotional scars," he told AAP.
The US has sent two conspirators involved in the Bali bombings back to Malaysia. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
"How do you kill so many people so viciously and then be permitted freedom?
"Yes you say they're going to be watched or de-radicalised but how can you take that as gospel?
"These people are terrorists who killed hundreds of people - 88 Australians and six of my closest friends.
"I don't have any sympathy for them if they remained in Guantanamo for the rest of their lives."
The 2002 bombings were the largest loss of Australian lives due to a terrorist attack after three bombs were detonated on the Indonesian island of Bali, including two at Kuta Beach nightspots.
It was still raw more than 20 years later, Mr Vanni said, welling up when speaking about his mates.Â
He said that holding an annual memorial allowed him and the club to celebrate the good things about them.
The 2002 Bali bombings were the largest loss of Australian lives due to a terrorist attack. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Australia had sought assurances from Malaysia the pair would be subject to ongoing supervision and monitoring, a spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
"We recognise that this news will be distressing for the survivors and families of victims of terrorist attacks, especially the 2002 Bali bombings," the spokesperson said.
The two men accepted a plea deal with the US government and provided deposition testimony available for use against Encep Nurjaman, who allegedly masterminded the Bali bombings and an attack against a Jakarta hotel in 2003.
Prosecutors said the men worked with Nurjaman for many years and helped him escape capture after the 2002 bombings.
Hanabeth Luke, who lost her partner in the nightclub bombing, said it was important for those behind the atrocity to be held accountable.
"Nothing is going to bring back the people we lost or the horrors we went through, but these men have done 22 years of time, including a period of torture at Guantanamo," she told AAP.
"As I understand it, they played a fairly minor role in the bombing and have provided evidence about those who did lead this atrocity.
"Forgiveness is when you can find peace from the actions of others and staying angry doesn't help you to move on."
Three bombs were detonated on the Indonesian island of Bali in 2002, including two at Kuta Beach. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
They pleaded guilty to murder in violation of war law, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, conspiracy and destruction of property before a military commission after spending about 20 years in Guantanamo.
Nurjaman remains in custody in Guantanamo.
The two men were given five years by the commission in June 2024 due to the plea deal and it was recommended both be repatriated to serve the remainder of their sentence in a third country.
They're set to take part in a de-radicalisation program in Malaysia.
Nazir bin Lep's lawyer Brian Bouffard told ABC News the men were "gophers" who moved funds and had minimal involvement in bringing about the bombings.
They had been held in indefinite detention for two decades, had accepted responsibility and paid the price, he said.
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