'Don't expect too much from the police'

People are disappointed by the failure of the police to solve many of the past bombing cases in the country, especially in Jakarta. Many have expressed their pessimism over the police's ability to find the perpetrators in the latest bomb blasts.

Agus, 30, was born in Tasik, West Java, and moved to the city 15 years ago. He resides in Grogol, West Jakarta, and works as a street hawker.

"Police should be more active and serious in investigating the bomb explosions. There have been several incidents of bomb blasts in the capital in the past. Many of the cases remain unsolved until now.

If the police fail to uncover the mastermind behind the string of bomb attacks in the city, the public will have less confidence in the law enforcers. People will then feel insecure about going out of their homes. That will severely affect business.

Some errant police or military personnel could be involved in the string of bombings in the capital as they have the license to possess the explosives."

Evi Lestari, 38, is an employee of a company in Kemang, South Jakarta. She is a mother of three children and currently lives in Cilandak, South Jakarta.

"I don't think that the police will be able to solve the recent bomb blasts. Do you remember last year's bombing cases? There were many cases but only a few of them were solved.

The police usually blame a certain group for masterminding the bombings. However, the police have never arrested them.

They are expected to protect all residents here. But, don't expect too much. It seems like they are powerless against criminals here."

Setiawan Musa, 39, is an employee at an event organizer firm in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He has two children and lives in Mampang Prapatan subdistrict, South Jakarta.

"The police will not be able to disclose the results of their investigation into the latest bomb blast as it might involve a major country that wishes to portray Indonesia as an unsafe country.

As we know, Indonesia has been accused of protecting terrorists. The latest bomb blasts give the impression that terrorists are still here.

Therefore I am pessimistic that the police will disclose the results of their investigation. They neither have the capability nor the serious intention of investigating the case.

The investigation is only a formality which will not be implemented comprehensively."

Ridwan Saidi, a former member of the House of Representatives, lives in Bintaro Jaya, South Jakarta. He has registered himself as a city gubernatorial candidate:

"I'm not sure whether the police will be able to reveal the mastermind behind the bomb explosion outside a discotheque on Sunday. They were not able to solve bombing cases in the past.

Police have insufficient funds and personnel to track down the perpetrators of all the bombing cases. So (the files of) many cases, not just the bombing cases, are piled up on their desks and remained unsolved.

I suggest that the city administration help finance the city police. The administration cannot rely on the police to provide security within the city without giving proper assistance."