Bali security tightened ahead of trials
Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
Bali police have tightened security measures at various entry points to the resort island ahead of the trials of the Bali bombing suspects, following reports that certain groups would try to disrupt the trials and to incite violent riots.
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika said here on Friday that the police conducted security checks on passengers coming from Java via the Gilimanuk Ferry Harbor on the west coast of the island.
Police also checked every passenger coming from Lombok island and others arriving at Padangbai harbor in east Bali.
Incoming passengers to Bali must pass through three to four identity and security checks at each port. Similar arrangements had been made at bus stations on the island, Pastika said.
"I could not guarantee 100 percent that we will be able to monitor all human activity in all corners of this island. But we will try, to the best of our ability, to protect the people and foreign guests from the threat of terrorism," he told reporters after inspecting the readiness of some 3,000 police personnel assigned to guard the trial.
The first trial related to the bombing is to start on Monday.
Pastika also disclosed that police intelligence had gathered information on the possibility that certain groups would try to disrupt the trials of the Oct. 12, 2001 bombing suspects.
He assured reporters that police intelligence had already amassed vital information on these groups, but declined to divulge further details on the groups and their plans.
"For the time being, the threat from these groups is still minor. I could not say exactly what the percentage is, since threat is not something that can be quantified ... All I can say is that the threat does exist," Pastika told reporters.
Still, Pastika reminded police officers not to underestimate the danger a possible threat might pose to court proceedings.
"Please remember that we are now dealing with a terrorist group. Do not underestimate any incoming information on the threat," he stressed.
As the first trial would be broadcast live by nine foreign and seven national television stations, Pastika urged the families and relatives of the bombing victims to watch the trials on television, instead of observing them at the Nari Graha Building in Renon.
"Australian victims' families and relatives could monitor the trial on television at their hotels," he said.
"Of course, I cannot bar them from coming to the trial venue, but in case the venue cannot accommodate the number of observers, I advise that they follow the trial on television," Pastika said.
He was also very concerned that certain groups might try to provoke and manipulate the families and relatives of victims emotionally, if they attended the trial in person.
Pastika also asked that people from outside Bali refrain from coming to the island to try and watch the trial.
"I just want to secure Bali for the trial. Their outcomes will affect the people of Indonesia. I just want to show the world that Indonesia can hold the trials in a transparent way," he said.