Bomb hoax disrupts Pasir Putih cafe

JAKARTA (JP): Lunchtime visitors and staff of the popular Pasir Putih cafe in Kemang, South Jakarta, were evacuated hastily after a telephoned bomb threat on Wednesday afternoon.

According to operation manager A.M. Yogi Baskoro, the call was received at 1 p.m. by staff member Monalisa.

"After we heard the news, we decided to quickly evacuate the visitors, some of whom were Jakarta International School students, and staff to avoid any possible danger," Yogi told The Jakarta Post.

Monalisa quoted the unidentified caller as saying: "Get everyone out of there. There's a bomb inside. This is from a police post."

The man then hung up, she said.

"I didn't recognize his voice. At first I thought somebody was playing a trick on me."

At about 2:35 p.m. the Gegana Bomb Disposal Squad arrived to inspect the cafe, which was declared safe about two hours later.

Asked about the tardy bomb squad arrival, one of the officers replied: "Well, we were caught in a traffic jam. Protests are everywhere."

South Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Satrya Hari Prasetya said the bomb hoax was the second reported in South Jakarta this month. (edt)