Bomb damages KFC outlet

Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar

As an anti-U.S. demonstration was being held early on Friday morning in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, an explosive device damaged a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet in the upmarket Panakkukang Mas housing complex on Jl. Pengayoman.

No fatalities or injuries were reported. Three people were questioned over the blast.

At almost the same time, another home-made bomb was found at Australia-owned MLC Life's office on Jl. Bontolempangan. Bomb squad personnel removed the device. The police detonated the home-made bomb in a safe place minutes later.

The bomb at the fried chicken outlet damaged the back part of the building and four other nearby buildings. A crater of 30 centimeters in diameter and 10 centimeters deep was found at the site of explosion.

Police said it was a medium-sized bomb.

Many have speculated that the bomb had something to do with the anti-America protests as fried chicken outlets have been targeted by protesters.

Makassar Police chief Sr. Comr. M. Amin Saleh said that the two devices had been planted by the same person(s).

He said the motive for the bombing was still unknown. "We cannot say if the bombing has any connection with the demonstrations."

As the police were busy with the bombs, thousands of demonstrators drawn from Islamic organizations and student associations took to the streets reiterating their demands that Indonesia adopt a clear stance against the U.S.-led attacks on the Taliban.

The street demonstration was followed by an attempted search for foreigners by students from the Pondokan Tamalanrea Students' Association. The action was foiled by the police before a single foreigner was accosted.

The demonstrators also burned an effigy of President George W. Bush.

The demonstrators congregated at the provincial legislative council on Jl. Urip Sumohardjo.

The student elements were drawn from United Islamic Muslim Students Action (KAMMI), the Indonesian Muslim University, the state-run Hasanuddin University, and the Muhammadiyah University.

In Bandung, some 5,000 people from various Islamic organizations and parties, such as the Justice Party (PK), KAMMI, Jemaah Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (a Muslim preachers' organization), and students from the Daarut Tauhid Islamic boarding school, staged a protest condemning America.

"We want the U.S. to show evidence which clearly indicates Osama bin Laden's involvement in the WTC and Pentagon attacks on Sept. 11. Or we will boycott American products," a student shouted. "We are against the killing of innocent people."

In Yogyakarta thousands of demonstrators burned British flags and a model of the White House in condemnation of the U.S. and its allies for the attacks on Afghanistan.

The demonstrators consisted of members of the Yogyakarta Muslim Community Communications Forum (FSUI), the Association of Indonesian Muslim Students (HMI), KAMMI, Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, Mujahideen Assembly, the Yogyakarta Mosque Youth Communication Association (FSRMY), and the Muhammadiyah Youth Association (IRM).

Activists and supporters of political parties, including the United Development Party (PPP), the Justice Party (PK), and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) also participated.

In the island of Bali, police have started providing special protection for every American fast-food outlet in the Denpasar, Kuta, Sanur, and Nusa Dua areas.

But Bali still remains one of the safest places in the country for foreigners.

In the East Java capital of Surabaya, police officers have been guarding American fast-food outlets from possible attack by demonstrators.

Surabaya Police chief Sr. Comr. Ito Sumardi said that five people from Jakarta had entered Surabaya in order to carry out agitation and encourage demonstrations. He did not elaborate.

What has been going on in other major cities is unlikely to be repeated in Aceh.

"The Aceh people, including members of the separatist group GAM, won't hold any demonstrations against the U.S. in relation to its attacks on Afghanistan," Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh said in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday.

Without explaining how he could speak for GAM on this issue, Puteh said that the absence of moves against America and its assets in Aceh was because American companies such as ExxonMobil had benefited locals.