Bomb hoaxes increase, security tightened

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Many high rise building managers and operators of vital public facilities have beefed up security amid an alarming increase in bomb threats from unidentified callers, following the Bali bombings which killed at least 190 on Oct. 12.

"Yes, we have intensified the security with additional working hours for our personnel backed by the police," Budiyono, manager of general affairs of Plaza Senayan shopping mall, in South Jakarta, said on Tuesday.

Even though the mall has not received any bomb threats, Budiyono said the security was intensified to anticipate any unexpected incidents.

"We apologize for any inconvenience caused as we have to check visitors' vehicles and tightly monitor places like parking lots and inside the building," Budiyono told The Jakarta Post.

Similarly, Misnoto, operational chief of the Plaza Atrium in Senen, Central Jakarta, said that his management had increased security by searching the visitors' bags and cars.

"We have 187 security personnel who work in three shifts, and we've told them to be more watchful," he said, while adding that Atrium had twice been the target of bombings in recent years.

Misnoto said he did not know when the tight security would be eased, citing that his management would await progress reports on the security situation from the police.

The increase in security measures was especially noticeable following warnings from Australia and British authorities last week which stated that Jakarta could well be the next target for terror attacks, especially in public places in the city such as the Kota area on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Mall Taman Anggrek, Pasar Baru and Pasar Senen as places which could be at risk and people should take extra precautions.

Yet, it seems to be business as usual in department stores and shopping malls in the city.

"Unexpected things could happen at any place, any time," a woman said as she browsed for shoes at Sogo department store in Plaza Indonesia.

There have been almost 20 bomb hoaxes thus far reported by the police since the Oct. 12 Bali bombings. The latest bomb threats were received by PGI Cikini hospital on Jl. Raden Saleh, Central Jakarta, Sunday and by state oil firm Pertamina here on Monday.

Awi Adil, spokesman with the Pertamina division here, said the call was "merely a bluff" as a team from the bomb squad who were immediately deployed to comb Pertamina's storehouses failed to find any explosives.

Meanwhile, City Police Detective Chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin said police had received many bomb threat reports, but no explosives or suspicious things have been found in connection with those.

Andi called on the public to be more vigilant by informing any suspicious materials as well as unidentified people's behavior especially in certain places like parking lots and shopping centers which could be targets for such an attack.

If the people notice any suspicious materials or people, they should inform the nearest security post, Andi said.

"The public could also simply dial the police hotline, 112, for emergency calls which will be available to receive calls round the clock," he said.

Besides, Andi said his personnel had also been deployed to back up the security both in uniform and in plainclothes.

"We have received orders from the City Police Chief to boost security in the places suspected to be the next target of attack," Andi asserted.