Bomb-making materials found at Tegal firecracker factory

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Tegal, Central Java

Investigators have discovered bomb-making materials at a firecracker plant in Tegal, Central Java, that was destroyed in an explosion last Saturday, Tegal Police chief of detectives, Adj. Comm. Ahmad Zulfikar, said on Monday.

Ahmad said forensic experts from the Central Java Police found several drums at the factory containing bomb-making materials -- magnesium aluminum and potassium nitrate.

The officer, however, fell short of saying that the plant, owned by Edy Sukamto, alias Kam Hok Seng, 45, and Kosasih, 60, a retired Navy colonel and former Tegal legislature speaker, was producing bombs.

The magnesium aluminum was found in 50-kilogram drums and the potassium nitrate was discovered in 25.2-kilogram containers, Ahmad said.

Magnesium aluminum and potassium nitrate are two explosive materials commonly used in making bombs.

Edy Sukamto and Kosasih, who have been declared suspects in the explosion at the plant and are currently being detained at the Tegal Police Headquarters, reportedly told police investigators they obtained the explosive materials from a Jakarta-based company that imported them from China.

According to Ahmad, the two declined to provide details about their business, and would only say that the explosion was an unforeseen tragedy that was a risk of their business.

At least 16 people were killed and nine others seriously injured when an explosion ripped through the firecracker plant last Saturday. Police have yet to determine the cause of the explosion, and they have not yet filed any charges against the two suspects.

Kosasih reportedly secured a license for the plant three years ago, but the plant did not begin operation until eight months ago, employing 90 workers.

Central Java Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Dodi Sumantiawan said the plant obtained an operating license from his office, but did not yet have a permit to produce firecrackers. He also said the plant would not be closed down because it had an operating license.

Separately, Balapulang district chief Wiryono told reporters he never received a copy of the factory's operating license.

Tegal Regent Soediharto was unavailable for comment.

Firecrackers are officially banned in Indonesia, but they are commonly used in rural areas to celebrate weddings, circumcisions and other festivities.