'Any of us could be a victim of terror'

Less than a week after a bomb exploded outside the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, President Megawati Soekarnoputri announced that Indonesia was on full alert for terrorist activities. Following the embassy bombing, the authorities also stepped up security in public areas. The Jakarta Post discussed the issue of terrorism with residents.

Wanto, 24, is a student at Trisakti University in Grogol, West Jakarta. He lives in Kebon Nanas subdistrict, Tangerang:

I still can't believe that another tragedy like this took place in Jakarta. I thought the Marriott bombing last year would be the last tragedy. Whoever committed this crime must be evil, to be able to hurt more than 100 people with their actions.

I also question the capabilities of our police and intelligence operations. What have they done to prevent these kinds of tragedies? I hope they will begin to work more seriously so that we can live in peace. They have to arrest the masterminds of this tragedy. Those people deserve the death sentence.

Suyatno, 35, works at a private company in Jembatan Dua, West Jakarta. He lives in Cimone, Tangerang:

The police must immediately arrest the perpetrators and the masterminds of the bombing. We do not want similar crimes again taking place in the country.

The rumors making the rounds in Jakarta that there are still lots of suicide bombers at large really has me worried. I know that bomb blasts can happen again anywhere and anytime.

Each of us could be a victim. Therefore, we must help the police find and arrest those responsible for the tragedy.

I still cannot understand why there are people who commit these kinds of crimes that hurt and kill many people.

Do they realize the pain they have caused to those who have lost their children, parents, brothers and relatives? I hope they won't do it again, but I don't believe they will listen to me.

-- The Jakarta Post