Jakarta beefs up security<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The police said on Monday they had increased security in the
\ncapital amid rising concern over possible terrorist attacks in
\nJakarta in the aftermath of the Bali bombings on Saturday night
\nthat claimed nearly 200 lives, mostly foreigners.<\/p>\n
\"We've tightened security to prevent an attack similar to the
\none in Bali from occurring here,\" said Jakarta Police chief Insp.
\nGen. Makbul Padmanagara.<\/p>\n
Makbul said the police had increased the number of patrol
\nunits at locations considered possible targets of terrorist
\nattacks, including entertainment centers, embassies,
\ninternational schools and shopping malls, especially those
\nfrequented by expatriates.<\/p>\n
\"We have summoned all police precinct and subprecinct chiefs
\nto discuss how many police officers will be deployed to several
\nlocations across the capital,\" Makbul said, declining to
\nelaborate on the number of officers deployed.<\/p>\n
Security concerns were already high before the Bali attacks
\nafter a series bombings in Jakarta this year. The latest incident
\nwas a grenade explosion near U.S.-owned property on Jl. Teluk
\nBetung in Central Jakarta. It was the fourth such incident this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Police are still investigating the grenade explosion and have
\nyet to announce a motive for the incident.<\/p>\n
Armed police officers were seen guarding a number of embassies
\nin Jakarta on Monday, including the Australian Embassy on Jl.
\nRasuna Said in South Jakarta and the United States Embassy on Jl.
\nMedan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta. All vehicles entering
\nthe embassies were searched.<\/p>\n
A number of people lined up in front of the Australian Embassy
\nto express their sympathy for the victims of the Bali bombings.<\/p>\n
The Australian International School has canceled all academic
\nactivities on Monday and Tuesday in observance of the tragedy.
\nClasses are scheduled to resume on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Makbul also said the police had told civilian security guards
\nto be on the alert for possible attacks.<\/p>\n
\"Tonight (Monday) we will meet with the owners of
\nentertainment and shopping centers here to discuss security
\nmatters,\" Makbul said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso also urged the public to remain on
\nthe alert for any suspicious activity.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot simply let the police handle all of the security
\naffairs. A joint effort to combat terrorist activities should
\ninvolve the public, to help inform the police of any suspicious
\nactivity,\" said Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso added that measures to increase the effectiveness of
\ncivilian security guards in public places like shopping centers
\nand nightspots must be the highest priority.<\/p>\n
Makbul said that the police had not received any requests to
\nsafeguard foreigners wanting to leave the city.<\/p>\n
But the officer added that the Jakarta Police were cooperating
\nwith the Bali Police in assisting foreign tourists departing for
\ntheir home countries from Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-beefs-up-security-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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