Explosion occurs near penitentiary

Explosion occurs near penitentiary

JAKARTA (JP): A loud blast rocked local residents around the
Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta on Wednesday night, and
destroyed one of three public telephone booths located in front
of the penitentiary.

No fatalities were reported.

"The explosion came from a large amount of firecrackers that
had been allegedly planted in or around the telephone booths. We
are still investigating the case," Central Jakarta police chief
of operational control, Adj. Comr. Paulus Waterpauw, told The
Jakarta Post.

"We are currently questioning one witness, who allegedly made
a call from one of the booths before the explosion occurred at
9.30 p.m."

A police source identified the witness as penitentiary warden
Abdul Gafur. (ylt)