Bomb hoax in Makassar

Bomb hoax in Makassar

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Ratu Indah Mall on Jl. Dr. Sam
Ratulangi received a bomb threat on Sunday afternoon, forcing
hundreds of shoppers to rush out of the mall in panic.

The three-story mall, the biggest shopping center in eastern
Indonesia, is owned by Yusuf Kalla, former minister of industry
and trade who is an influential figure in Makassar.

The threat was received by telephone operator Ina Sakinah at
3:30 p.m. local time from a man with a Chinese accent.

"He (the caller) said he had planted a bomb on the second
floor. I then immediately called the security chief, Abner
Pawang," Ina said.

Hundreds of shoppers panicked and fled from the building. The
police bomb squad arrived and searched the mall for about an
hour.

Makassar Police chief Sr. Supt. Aryanto Budihardjo said later
in the day that the bomb threat was probably made by parties who
worked in a network aimed at creating chaos in the city.

"Makassar, as a major city of eastern Indonesia, is prone to
such attempts. We're investigating this case thoroughly, there
probably is a link to recent bomb threats here." (27/edt)