Church explosions mar year-end festivities

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Explosions rocked four churches in the Central Sulawesi capital of Palu on New Year's Eve and the first day of the year, on Tuesday, injuring a police officer.

Eyewitnesses said that the first explosion took place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Jl. Setiabudi at about 23:50 p.m. local time minutes before the second blast at the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI). The third explosion hit the Pentecostal Church on Jl. Thamrin, only about five minutes after the second blast.

The bomb exploded in the yard of the Pentecostal Church on Jl. Gajahmada at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, the first day of the year.

The explosion injured an officer of the bomb squad Adj. Brig. Yani Avanto, who -- along with six other officers -- arrived at the site following reports that a bomb was found in the church compound.

The fact that a bomb blast occurred in the church compound was a bit ironic as a police post was erected right in front of the church to provide security during the new year festivities.

The third explosion was said to be the strongest. While the four explosions caused only minor damage, they have shattered the fragile calm in Central Sulawesi. A truce has recently been signed by Muslim and Christian leaders to end the sectarian clashes in Poso, Central Sulawesi that have claimed the lives of thousands of people over a three-year period.

Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said officer Yani suffered a serious eye wound and had been transported to Makassar for further treatment. Agus said police had yet to identify those who planted the bombs, but confirmed that some people had been questioned as witnesses.

Despite the church blasts, year-end festivities were without incident on the whole compared to last year when several people were killed in several church explosions in West Java, East Java and Riau.

One man was killed when a grenade exploded on Jl. Bulungan, in Jakarta early on Tuesday morning. Police have yet to name who was behind the blast.

In Denpasar, Bali three people were killed in traffic accidents on New Year's Eve, but the new year festivities proceeded peacefully with some 6,000 policemen and other security officers fielded to provide security during the merry making on the island.

A folk arts festival was held by the Badung regency administration on Kuta beach, Bali's most popular tourist area. Featuring various popular folk arts, such as the sensual Joged dance and the joyful Janger dance, the festival attracted thousands of visitors, and caused traffic congestion in the surrounding area.

Separately, President Megawati Soekarnoputri spent New Year's Eve at the Tampaksiring State Palace, some 35 kilometers north of here, by throwing a private party to celebrate her husband's 58th birthday.

Security was very tight around the palace, which made it impossible even for a journalist to enter the compound.

"This is a invitation-only party. I saw several noted figures entering the compound, including the National Intelligence Body (BIN) chief AM Hendro Priyono," a security guard said.

In the restive provinces of Aceh and Maluku, gunshots and bomb blasts marked New Year's Eve.

Continuous gunshots were heard in Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe in Aceh before and after midnight.

At about 10 p.m. local time, young people took to the streets on motorcycles to celebrate the joyful night. They seemed oblivious to an attack on a military post at the Pemuda Pancasila building on Jl. Cik Di Tiro by unidentified gunmen. The military said the attack was conducted by members of Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

An soldier was injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, a band entertained the people of Sigli, while a Seudati traditional dance performance was held in Bireun.

In Ambon, the capital of Maluku, gunshots and bomb blasts were heard amid the sounds of firecrackers.

The gunshots were mostly heard in volatile areas, including Mardika, Batumerah, Ahuru, Karang Panjang.

Antara reported that the gunshots were fired by security officers guarding the hot spots and several areas outside the city of Ambon.

Unidentified people threw homemade bombs in several areas. No incidents were reported and security was maintained. Places of worship were also full of people.

In the capitals of West, Central and East Java, Bandung, Semarang, and Surabaya people celebrated New Year's Eve festivities by flocking the streets. No violent incidents were reported.

In Yogyakarta thousands of people jostled along popular Jl. Malioboro and other main roads, such as Jl. Sudirman, and Jl. Solo.

In the neighboring sultanate city of Surakarta, King Pakoe Boewono XII gave a message for local citizens on New Year's Eve. In the written address read by chief of the palace administration GPH Dipokusumo, the sultan reminded the people of the degradation in the nation's moral values and asked the people to maintain traditional cultural values.

Art and cultural performances entertained the people who stayed up for the night.

In Medan, North Sumatra, the people celebrated the new year celebrations peacefully despite the floods which had devastated several areas.

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar people celebrated the new year in their own way. Many of them just strolled around the city; many others went to theaters and malls.

In the easternmost province of Irian Jaya, peace and order marked the new year festivities.

In the capital of Jayapura people let off firecrackers.

Teenagers gathered in the Teluk Yos Sudarso recreation area which is located in front of City Hall.

On Tuesday morning the city was very quiet with traditional markets, shops, restaurants closed. -----------------------------------

EYEBOX:

Chairman of the Central Sulawesi Inter-Ecclesiastical Coordination Body Jhonni Soriton said that the Christians regretted the bombings, which disturbed and marred the tranquility of Christmas and the new year celebration. He urged police to find the persons responsible soon.