Areas named in terror website guarded
Areas named in terror website guarded
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Security guards at Plaza Senayan in Central Jakarta were
especially vigilant on Monday in checking cars entering the mall
and searching the bags of visitors.
"We do not want to take any risks. We have had orders since
last week to be very careful in searching visitors. We heard that
several locations along Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Sudirman were
mentioned as possible bombing targets," one security guard, who
asked not to be named, told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Although on full alert, he said, the security guards were
being careful not to frighten away shoppers.
Many other shopping malls and hotels in the main business
areas of Jakarta have also increased security since last week.
Visitors to Mal Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta, for example,
had to go through more thorough checks than usual over the
weekend.
Security has been heightened since the discovery of a website
allegedly connected to Malaysian terrorist suspects Azahari bin
Husin and Noordin M. Top. The website claimed fresh attacks on
malls and recreation centers in Jakarta were being planned.
The website, which authorities shut down following media
reports on its existence, identifies several possible targets,
including Ancol in North Jakarta, Duren Tiga and Ragunan in South
Jakarta, and several malls and hotels along Jl. Gatot Subroto and
Jl. Sudirman.
Police are investigating who was responsible for the website.
Azahari was killed in a police raid in Batu, Malang, West
Java, two weeks ago, while Noordin remains at large.
The two are the suspected masterminds of major attacks on
Western targets in Indonesia, including the Bali bombings in 2002
and this Oct. 1.
Despite the heightened alert, there were few police officers
seen in malls, office buildings and hotels. There were no police
officers seen at Plaza Senayan on Monday.
City police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said
police were deploying more intelligence officers and plainclothes
detectives to monitor locations mentioned on the website, instead
of uniformed officers because of a desire not to alarm the
public.
"We are monitoring the places mentioned as possible bombing
targets on the site because we do not want to take any risks.
However, we decided to deploy intelligence officers and
detectives to monitor the locations so as not to cause fear among
residents and visitors," he said.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said
officers at the subdistrict level had received special training
to deal with terrorism.
"Several officers in each subdistrict in Greater Jakarta have
been trained to explain to residents the threat of terrorism. For
instance, they have to convince residents to report any newcomers
to community or neighborhood unit chiefs, or to nearby police
stations," he said.