Bombs, terror main threats to MPR Annual Session<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Bombings and terrorism will be the top threats that must be
\nguarded against by the security forces in protecting the upcoming
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Annual Session.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said after
\na joint workout with Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and Jakarta
\nMilitary commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso at the Bung Karno
\nSports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, that these had been
\nidentified as the major threats following the recent blast at the
\nnational legislative complex in Senayan on July 14.<\/p>\n
"The situation now is different from that which prevailed
\nduring last year's Annual Session, where rallies had the
\npotential to turn violent. That's why containing rallies and
\ndemonstrations was our No. 1 security priority last year," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
A low-explosive device went off at the national legislative
\ncomplex causing minor damage around the blast scene. No one was
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
"We have to be on alert as terrorists are on the loose among
\nus. The public across the city must help enhance security in
\ntheir own neighborhoods," Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
Makbul said earlier that the police would impose a state of
\nred alert in the capital during the session, which runs from Aug.
\n1 to Aug. 10.<\/p>\n
Under the state of red alert, the entire police force
\namounting to over 20,000 personnel, including reserves, will be
\ndeployed across the city. Police officers will also be prohibited
\nfrom leaving the city or going on leave.<\/p>\n
A total of 1,300 personnel will be deployed around the
\nlegislative complex and the Hotel Mulia Senayan, where MPR
\nmembers will be staying during the session.<\/p>\n
Makbul said that all those attending the event would be
\nsubject to security checks.<\/p>\n
"MPR members, ministers and even generals, no exceptions at
\nall, will have to pass through the security checks before
\nentering the compound," he said.<\/p>\n
The bomb blast at the legislative complex was the fourth bomb
\nattack in the city in recent months. In April, a device went off
\nin Departure Terminal F at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,
\ninjuring 11 people, while days earlier a bomb exploded on Jl.
\nWahid Hasyim, Central Jakarta, behind the United Nations
\nRepresentative Office.<\/p>\n
The first bomb exploded at the National Police headquarters in
\nFebruary and it was committed by a police deserter.<\/p>\n
Police have found a number of similarities in the type of
\ndevices used in the bombings, including metal pipe containers,
\nthe sort of batteries, and the pieces of conical metal packed
\ninto the bombs so as to cause maximum casualties.<\/p>\n
Although they earlier alleged that the separatist Free Aceh
\nMovement (GAM) was behind the bombings at the airport and near
\nthe UN office, the police seem more reluctant this time around to
\npoint the finger at who they believe was responsible for the bomb
\nat the legislative complex.<\/p>",
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