Bombs threats? I keep my faith in God'

Police have warned about possible terror acts following the bomb blast at the national legislature (DPR) last week. Terrorist suspects have indicated that a terror campaign will continue in big cities, including Jakarta. Despite improved police capability in arresting suspects, this state of affairs might well give rise to public anxiety. Some members of the public told The Jakarta Post that they were not too scared about the possibility of terrorism as it had occurred many times before.

Adri, 36, is a sidewalk vendor of sandals at Blok M, South Jakarta. He is homeless after he got divorced and left his ex- wife and three children in Serang, Banten:

I don't care about bomb threats in the city. I'm only concerned about my own life.

My hands are full with my own problems so why should I worry that much about bombs? The recent bomb blast at the DPR building was far from here.

I recently got divorced because my wife cheated on me and became pregnant by her lover.

Besides, I don't know that much about the country's current security situation because I've just returned from Mecca, having worked there for some years.

I heard from my family that the police investigated my village in Lamongan (East Java) as I live near the home of one of the Bali bomb suspects.

I'm just an ordinary bloke trying to make a living as a vendor: I've no bad intentions at all.

Topik, 56, works as a night street sweeper in South Jakarta. He lives in Petogogan, South Jakarta, with his wife and seven children:

I think it's nothing unusual to feel extremely concerned about the bomb blasts here.

I remember when the explosion and subsequent fatality occurred in Bulungan, South Jakarta, last year. I was one of the eyewitnesses. Somebody had told me to sweep the location nearby before the incident. He even gave me Rp 5,000. I took the money but I refused to do what he'd asked.

After I'd walked about 100 meters away, I was shocked at the explosion, which occurred at almost precisely the spot at which I'd been standing prior to the bomb going off.

I saw the bloody fatalities and thanked God that I'd ignored the order, but it traumatized me too.

I live my life in the service of God. It has worked so far, because I've had many miraculous escapes from potentially fatal situations. I prefer to keep my faith in God, despite possible bomb threats.

Yuli, 33, works for a foundation in Salemba, Central Jakarta. She lives close to her office:

I'm not worried at all, even if I have to go to a shopping mall. I've just been to Atrium (shopping mall in Senen, Central Jakarta) with friends.

I saw that many security and police officers were vigilant while checking visitors.

I hadn't realized that security checks had been tightened up due to concern at bomb threats.

I'm not worrying too much about this because we have grown accustomed to such intimidation, or even actual blasts. There is nothing new about that.

Small wonder that the police fail to anticipate terror attacks because criminals nowadays include terrorists, who are far smarter than they are. I'm sure they're very good at taking advantage of loopholes and security weaknesses.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.