Bomb blast at Gambir house

JAKARTA (JP): A home-made bomb exploded yesterday in the yard of a businessman's house on Jl. Batu, Gambir district, in Central Jakarta, breaking the windows of the house. No fatalities were reported.

Witnesses said they saw two unidentified men put the bomb in front of Jun R. Tahier's house, lit it and left on a motorcycle in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira said the police are still investigating the case.

"The bomb was probably aimed at frighting the house's owner," Abubakar said, saying that it was made from a bottle containing gasoline. It started a small fire.

Tahier said he was sleeping when the bomb exploded. When he woke up the fire had already been extinguished.

He said he has no enemies. But he added that two years ago an investor expressed a keen interest in buying at least nine houses, including his, located in a strategic area.

Tahier said he was wondering if the incident had anything to do with the investor.(jun)