'Any of us could be a victim of terror'

'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