Church blasts mar year-end festivities<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Explosions rocked four churches in the Central Sulawesi capital
\nof Palu on New Year's Eve and the first day of the year, on
\nTuesday, injuring a police officer.<\/p>\n
Eyewitnesses said that the first explosion took place at the
\nSeventh Day Adventist Church on Jl. Setiabudi at about 23:50 p.m.
\nlocal time minutes before the second blast at the Indonesian
\nChristian Church (GKI). The third explosion hit the Pentecostal
\nChurch on Jl. Thamrin, only about five minutes after the second
\nblast.<\/p>\n
The bomb exploded in the yard of the Pentecostal Church on Jl.
\nGajahmada at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the first day of the year.<\/p>\n
The explosion injured an officer of the bomb squad Adj. Brig.
\nYani Avanto, who -- along with six other officers -- arrived at
\nthe site following reports that a bomb was found in the church
\ncompound.<\/p>\n
The fact that a bomb blast occurred in the church compound was
\na bit ironic as a police post was erected right in front of the
\nchurch to provide security during the new year festivities.<\/p>\n
The third explosion was said to be the strongest. While the
\nfour explosions caused only minor damage, they have shattered the
\nfragile calm in Central Sulawesi. A truce has recently been
\nsigned by Muslim and Christian leaders to end the sectarian
\nclashes in Poso, Central Sulawesi that have claimed the lives of
\nthousands of people over a three-year period.<\/p>\n
Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto
\nsaid officer Yani suffered a serious eye wound and had been
\ntransported to Makassar for further treatment. Agus said police
\nhad yet to identify those who planted the bombs, but confirmed
\nthat some people had been questioned as witnesses.<\/p>\n
Despite the church blasts, year-end festivities were without
\nincident on the whole compared to last year when several people
\nwere killed in several church explosions in West Java, East Java
\nand Riau.<\/p>\n
One man was killed when a grenade exploded on Jl. Bulungan, in
\nJakarta early on Tuesday morning. Police have yet to name who was
\nbehind the blast.<\/p>\n
In Denpasar, Bali three people were killed in traffic
\naccidents on New Year's Eve, but the new year festivities
\nproceeded peacefully with some 6,000 policemen and other security
\nofficers fielded to provide security during the merry making on
\nthe island.<\/p>\n
A folk arts festival was held by the Badung regency
\nadministration on Kuta beach, Bali's most popular tourist area.
\nFeaturing various popular folk arts, such as the sensual Joged
\ndance and the joyful Janger dance, the festival attracted
\nthousands of visitors, and caused traffic congestion in the
\nsurrounding area.<\/p>\n
Separately, President Megawati Soekarnoputri spent New Year's
\nEve at the Tampaksiring State Palace, some 35 kilometers north of
\nhere, by throwing a private party to celebrate her husband's 58th
\nbirthday.<\/p>\n
Security was very tight around the palace, which made it
\nimpossible even for a journalist to enter the compound.<\/p>\n
\"This is a invitation-only party. I saw several noted figures
\nentering the compound, including the National Intelligence Body
\n(BIN) chief AM Hendro Priyono,\" a security guard said.<\/p>\n
In the restive provinces of Aceh and Maluku, gunshots and bomb
\nblasts marked New Year's Eve.<\/p>\n
Continuous gunshots were heard in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe
\nin Aceh before and after midnight.<\/p>\n
At about 10 p.m. local time, young people took to the streets
\non motorcycles to celebrate the joyful night. They seemed
\noblivious to an attack on a military post at the Pemuda Pancasila
\nbuilding on Jl. Cik Di Tiro by unidentified gunmen. The military
\nsaid the attack was conducted by members of Free Aceh Movement
\n(GAM).<\/p>\n
An soldier was injured in the attack.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a band entertained the people of Sigli, while a
\nSeudati traditional dance performance was held in Bireun.<\/p>\n
In Ambon, the capital of Maluku, gunshots and bomb blasts were
\nheard amid the sounds of firecrackers.<\/p>\n
The gunshots were mostly heard in volatile areas, including
\nMardika, Batumerah, Ahuru, Karang Panjang.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the gunshots were fired by security
\nofficers guarding the hot spots and several areas outside the
\ncity of Ambon.<\/p>\n
Unidentified people threw homemade bombs in several areas. No
\nincidents were reported and security was maintained. Places of
\nworship were also full of people.<\/p>\n
In the capitals of West, Central and East Java, Bandung,
\nSemarang, and Surabaya people celebrated New Year's Eve
\nfestivities by flocking the streets. No violent incidents were
\nreported.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta thousands of people jostled along popular Jl.
\nMalioboro and other main roads, such as Jl. Sudirman, and Jl.
\nSolo.<\/p>\n
In the neighboring sultanate city of Surakarta, King Pakoe
\nBoewono XII gave a message for local citizens on New Year's Eve.
\nIn the written address read by chief of the palace administration
\nGPH Dipokusumo, the sultan reminded the people of the degradation
\nin the nation's moral values and asked the people to maintain
\ntraditional cultural values.<\/p>\n
Art and cultural performances entertained the people who
\nstayed up for the night.<\/p>\n
In Medan, North Sumatra, the people celebrated the new year
\ncelebrations peacefully despite the floods which had devastated
\nseveral areas.<\/p>\n
In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar people celebrated
\nthe new year in their own way. Many of them just strolled around
\nthe city; many others went to theaters and malls.<\/p>\n
In the easternmost province of Irian Jaya, peace and order
\nmarked the new year festivities.<\/p>\n
In the capital of Jayapura people let off firecrackers.<\/p>\n
Teenagers gathered in the Teluk Yos Sudarso recreation area
\nwhich is located in front of City Hall.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday morning the city was very quiet with traditional
\nmarkets, shops, restaurants closed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/church-blasts-mar-year-end-festivities-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}