Bomb damages KFC outlet

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.