'Bringing terrorists to court is waste of time'

The recent terrorist bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel in South Jakarta claimed at least 10 lives and left around 150 injured. The blast occurred less than a month after a bomb attack at the legislative compound in the capital. Many people condemned the attacks and criticized security authorities for failing to anticipate the attack. The Jakarta Post talked with some residents on their views.

Eka Dewi, 21, works at a hotel on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Karet, South Jakarta:

I feel terribly sad about the bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel, which has affected dozens of innocent people.

I condemn the terrorists who committed such an inhumane attack. They are not human beings; they don't have a heart. They don't care about the impact on the nation's future due to their acts.

Their thoughtless deeds have worsened the already tarnished image of the country in the world. It's a disaster for us.

I also thank God for saving me from the tragedy. Before the incident, I was waiting for a final decision on my recruitment to the Marriott.

I'm working now at a different hotel, but I cannot deny that I feel so worried, realizing that a hotel could be a terrorist target.

No one and no place can guarantee our safety now, even though we have our own security personnel and system to anticipate any possible threats.

Worse, the incident has sparked distrust in the police. They have always failed to solve bombing cases in the capital. I just wonder what they are doing now.

I think the perpetrators of the bombing here should face the death sentence. Otherwise, the terrorists will remain free to carry out more attacks like these.

Bringing them to court is just a waste of time and money. The court cannot punish them enough for what they did and the casualties they caused.

They are just terrorists who deserve to be shot.

Tarmo (not his real name), 32, lives in Pulomas, East Jakarta, with his wife and daughter:

The police always fail to prevent bomb attacks against many public facilities and places in the city. They should anticipate all possible attacks, not only for important places like the legislative compound.

Our security still has so many loopholes that allow terrorists to attack at any time. Poor country!

I hate to mention that certain high-ranking officials said recently that terrorism was not a serious threat in the city. I hate them, as they seem to have made a compromise with the terrorists.

I completely agree that the death penalty should be handed down to the terrorist who did this. Taking them to court would only be a waste of time.

I imagine trapping those responsible in a building and then blowing them up, so they can feel for themselves how terrible are the sufferings of the innocent victims.

I prefer former president Soeharto's regime, since he was able to curb terrorist threats. Perhaps it's time to employ secret operatives to eradicate radical groups that have the potential to become terrorists.

Ivan (not his real name), 41, works at a private company in West Jakarta. He lives in Tangerang with his wife and son:

I am not too shocked by the recent bombing, as such attacks are now common in this city. I am just sad that so many innocent lives were lost.

I don't know what to say about the police's performance anymore. They should have learned from the previous incidents, but they haven't even succeeded in solving them so far.

They could have taken stern measures against alleged terrorist suspects in anticipation of other possible threats.

I'm just disappointed about the corrupt mentality and behavior of the police, because their attitude and professionalism are important factors in anticipating possible terrorist attacks. They are always negligent when it comes to law enforcement.

I don't think the terrorists should be brought to court. It takes time and money, and it's completely meaningless. After all, terrorists only deserve the death sentence.

-- Leo Wahyudi S.