Blast terrorizes chief legislator in Indramayu

Nana Rukmana The Jakarta Post Indramayu

Homemade explosives hurled by at least two unidentified persons exploded at the official residence of a local chief legislator in the West Java town of Indramayu early on Thursday.

No fatalities or injuries were reported in the blast that took place at around 3 a.m., nor was there any serious damage to the house located on Jalan Olahraga.

Iwan Hendrawan, speaker of the Indramayu district legislative council (DPRD)-- who also chairs the local branch of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), was sleeping inside when the incident occurred.

It did, however, create panic among the outspoken legislator, his family and neighbors, who heard a strong blast from the house.

The apparent attack was suspected to be linked to PDI Perjuangan's rejection of an accountability report by the city's regent.

All 17 members of the party's faction in the legislature had boycotted a DPRD plenary meeting meant to discuss the report.

Iwan told The Jakarta Post that he believed the incident was closely related to the political stance of his PDI Perjuangan, the largest faction in the local legislature.

But local police said they could not determine the motive behind the blast as the investigation was just getting underway.

"We are still investigating the incident," Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Hadi Sutejo told the Post, confirming that the strong blast was made using explosive material packed in a small can.

At least five people, including Iwan's family members, were questioned as witnesses in connection with the blast.

Witnesses said two persons riding a motorcycle had arrived at the legislator's residence and threw something that later exploded shortly after they left the scene.

Iwan played down the terror against him, saying he did not feel frightened or intimidated by such an incident.