Bomb hoaxes increase, security tightened

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.