Intelligence surveillance upped after bomb threats<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Pattimura Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso said on
\nSaturday that he would intensify intelligence surveillance in
\nMaluku province in a bid to solve the recent spate of bomb scares
\nin its capital city, Ambon.<\/p>\n
He said he had discussed the plan with the provincial
\ngovernment and local police so that measures could be taken to
\ntackle the problem.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the public are willing to help the investigation so
\nthat the culprits behind the bomb threats can be captured soon.
\nAt least, they (the people) should report anything suspicious to
\nthe nearest security post,\" Djoko was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Tension has remained high in the restive city as bomb scares
\nhave been occurring every day since a blast on Oct. 9 that
\ninjured two policemen and four civilians.<\/p>\n
Bombs were said to have been planted in government offices,
\nhigh schools and business centers.<\/p>\n
The central government imposed a state of civil emergency in
\nMaluku in 2000, which remains effective to date.<\/p>\n
Sporadic violence has returned to Ambon despite a peace
\nagreement signed in February between the warring groups. The
\nagreement marked the end of the three-year sectarian conflict
\nbetween Christians and Muslims.<\/p>\n
The latest series of bomb scares spread fear among employees
\nin the Ambon mayoral offices, located on Jl. Patimura, on
\nSaturday morning. Staff were sent fleeing from the building after
\nan employee found a suspicious package in a restroom.<\/p>\n
\"I reported it to security officers as I was afraid and
\nsuspicious of the package, which was in a black plastic bag,\"
\nJhon Waisapi said, adding that he found the package at 11:15 a.m.<\/p>\n
Ambon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comm. Noviantoro said that he
\ncould not yet say whether the package contained a bomb as the
\nbomb squad was still studying it.<\/p>\n
\"I appreciate the reporting of suspicious packages by the
\npublic. This is essential so that we can prevent anything
\nuntoward from happening,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, city residents -- students, employees and traders
\n-- went about their activities as usual on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Sea and land transportation had returned to normal while trade
\nbetween Christians and Muslims proceeded without any problems.<\/p>\n
Some Muslim traders said that they traded with the Christians
\nas they already understood each other.<\/p>\n
Security personnel from the police and military remained
\nvisible in public places, including offices and banks.<\/p>\n
\"We are still anxious when we are in the office because the
\nbomb scares can take place anytime and they could turn out to be
\ndeadly. However, I want to work so that I can serve the public,\"
\nsaid Dela Seilatu, an official in the Maluku governor's office.<\/p>\n
Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina expressed the hope that
\nmembers of the public would not be overly perturbed by the
\nscares, and continue to go about their business as normal.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the public can continue with their day-to-day
\nactivities without being worried as the security forces are
\ntrying to find the actors and the networks behind these scares,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Saleh slammed those behind the bomb scares as inhuman.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/intelligence-surveillance-upped-after-bomb-threats-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }