Bank Nusa target of bomb hoax

JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata confirmed yesterday a bomb threat at Bank Nusa in the Wisma Bakrie building on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, was a hoax.

"There was nothing there. We searched the place thoroughly and found nothing which may be associated with a bomb or explosive materials," he said.

The bomb squad was deployed after police received a report from a building security officer.

He said at least two people had been questioned as witnesses.

Sukendar, a security officer of Bank Nusa -- located on the first floor of the building -- said a bank telephone operator, Vindy, received a mysterious call about 10:15 a.m. yesterday.

"The caller said that a bomb had been planted in the bank and was set to explode in about 45 minutes," he said.

Vindy reported the incident to Sukendar, who passed on the information to his superior.

Security officers did not alert other employees, to avoid causing a disturbance, and tried to search for the bomb themselves before calling the police, he said.

The bomb squad arrived at the building at noon and evacuated all employees from the four-story building before conducting a search. (cst)