'There is no Heaven for terrorists'<\/p>\n
The horror of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy in United States, when
\nterrorists flew commercial airplanes into the World Trade Center
\n(WTC) twin towers in New York and the Pentagon Defense
\nHeadquarters in Arlington, Virginia, killing thousands of
\ninnocent lives, seems like it was just yesterday.<\/p>\n
A string of terrorist attacks worldwide, including the Oct. 12,
\n2002 bombing of nightclubs on Bali and the Aug. 5 JW Marriott Hotel
\nblast in Jakarta, followed. Many people condemned the merciless acts and
\nconsider terrorism a serious threat. Some people spoke to The
\nJakarta Post about terrorism, recalling their reactions to the
\ntragedies.<\/p>\n
Anton, 42, is a manager of a supermarket in West Jakarta and
\nlives in Tangerang with his wife and son:<\/p>\n
The WTC tragedy a couple of years ago was a clear indicator of
\nthe existence of international terrorist networks.<\/p>\n
The Bali bombing and the recent JW Marriott hotel blasts also
\nprovided hard evidence of that a terrorist network existed in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
So, why have we, particularly the government, always tried to
\nignore them and doubted the existence of terrorism here?<\/p>\n
I even believe that there are many more terrorist cells in the
\ncountry now, particularly after seeing how terrorist attacks have
\nsprouted in various places. I guess Indonesia is a haven and hot-
\nbed for terrorists.<\/p>\n
Terrorists are evil, because their acts always take innocent
\npeople lives.<\/p>\n
I realize that we are living in a country that respects the
\ndue process of the law, but for terrorist suspects, authorities
\nshould impose the harshest punishment possible.<\/p>\n
I mean that they deserve the maximum punishment, and they
\nshould never be allowed to appeal. Otherwise, they have the
\nchance to have their sentences downgraded. This is ridiculous.<\/p>\n
I think the Bali bombing trials are only a waste of time and
\nmoney. We should not allow the suspects to bide their time going
\nto the Higher Court and Supreme Court with an appeal. They'll
\nonly provide a model for other terrorists to follow.<\/p>\n
Anwar, 25, is a security officer at a busy shopping center in
\nWest Jakarta, and lives with his family in Ciledug, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
I personally condemn the WTC tragedy and other terror attacks
\naround the world.<\/p>\n
Terrorists continue to terrify people in many ways, even in
\nthis country. I believe they are still here.<\/p>\n
As a moderate Muslim, I feel ashamed that the terrorist
\nsuspects in the Bali tragedy -- and other attacks -- disrespect
\nthe court in the name of God. It's really embarrassing and
\nshameful.<\/p>\n
I don't think they will go to Heaven, despite their strong
\ndesire for the death sentence and belief that they will die God's
\nmartyrs. Never. Heaven is not for merciless and crafty people
\nlike them.<\/p>\n
I have to admit that I am worried about the possibility of
\nfurther terror acts. I'm afraid to inspect unattended cars in the
\nparking lot, but I have to. It's my job and I've no choice,
\nbecause I work in an area that might be a possible target.<\/p>\n
I also feel uneasy whenever I have to conduct security checks
\non shoppers. It's inconvenient for them, I'm sure, but they
\nunderstand that such checks are conducted for the security of
\nall.<\/p>\n
Once, I heard a customer complain about the tight security,
\nbut I could see that he was saying what he was, because he was
\nnot a terrorist.<\/p>\n
All the inconvenience resulting from security checks and
\nheightened vigilance is a small cost to pay for our common
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
Ririn, 23, was shopping in Blok M, South Jakarta, when the
\nPost caught up with her. She lives with friends in a rented house
\nin Ciledug:<\/p>\n
I hate seeing the terror acts, such as the ones that blew
\napart the WTC twin towers and the others in Bali and Jakarta.<\/p>\n
I fear that there are many more mindless people who volunteer
\nas terrorists here, because of the poverty and the unemployment
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
We have to face the fact that terrorist threats will remain
\nuntil the problems are solved. Even the terrorist cells continue
\nto expand.<\/p>\n
It's not a matter of being afraid or not -- I see that the
\ngovernment and security apparatus are always left behind by the
\nterrorists, and it doesn't seem that they're being professional
\nin taking anticipatory measures to crack down on terrorist cell
\nembryos.<\/p>\n
It's usually the case that they become serious only after the
\ndeadly attacks have already taken place.<\/p>\n
The bomb blasts that claimed the innocent and scared everyone
\ninto hiding are a good lesson for all sides, especially relevant
\nauthorities, to take the necessary and harsh measures to fight
\nterrorism.<\/p>\n
The government should not be afraid of any one or any group
\nwho, in some way, may be potential terrorists. Otherwise, many
\nmore innocent people will be killed.
\n-- Leo Wahyudi S.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/there-is-no-heaven-for-terrorists-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}