Bali security tightened ahead of trials

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.