'Bomb shows people fed up with govt'

The police have warned that public places could be potential targets for bombings, following the bomb attack last week at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)/House of Representatives (DPR) compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta. The Jakarta Post talked to a few people working in public venues about their response to the incident and subsequent warning.

Jono, 24, is a shop attendant at Plaza Slipi Jaya in West Jakarta. He lives in Tebet, South Jakarta, with his family:

I'm not worried at all about the recent blast at the DPR compound. If it's a matter of life and death, I believe in God. Death can come at any time, so why should I worry?

As for the bombings, I object to those people who say the bombers were Muslim radicals or terrorists. I doubt that hard- line Muslim groups were behind the attacks, but we have no idea what really happened.

Perhaps suspects confess because they are pressured by the police to do so, and admit to something they didn't do.

We have to realize that truth is rarely found nowadays. I think it would be better to stay alert and not to be too quick to blame others before the investigation is completed.

Gareng (not his real name), 32, works at an international organization on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. He lives in Setiabudi, South Jakarta:

I don't pay much attention to bomb attacks in the city, even at the DPR or National Police headquarters, but the attacks on churches worry me.

The bombing shows that people are dissatisfied and fed up with the poor governance, as well as the poor law enforcement in this country.

I'm glad that the bomb exploded at the DPR -- although there may be a possibility that there was a political motive behind it -- because it was the final way to voice the people's complaints.

Terrorists here, in my opinion, represent those people who are upset about the government's negligence of the poor.

What if the target is a shopping mall or other public places? Well, I'd think that's only to destroy the government's already poor credibility. It will show that our law enforcers and the government always fail to curb such acts of terror.

I'm rather pleased about the bombing, actually, as it will remind the government of its failure to realize the people's aspirations.

Anung, 45, works at a hotel on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, with her husband:

To tell the truth, I worry so much about possible bombings. It affects our lives too, doesn't it?

I also worry about my husband's safety, because he works at the DPR building.

I can only wonder how the terrorists were able to enter the compound so easily, even with the strict security. I've gone to the building many times to pick up my husband, and I'm always checked, even though the security officers know me well.

I think a hotel is more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, but the management heightened security a long time ago, and still check guests and their luggage.

I have no idea who is responsible for all these bombings.

A thorough investigation is needed, although some alleged terrorists have been arrested and taken to court.

One thing for sure, the terrorists are much smarter than our police officers.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.