Fighting an uneven battle
The horrendous bomb attack that occurred in front of the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta, yesterday morning, hammers home the fact that there can be no respite in the fight against terrorism. The undeniable fact is that while terrorists have the luxury of being able to watch their prey and strike without warning, the authorities have to be forever on the alert, unable to allow their vigilance to slacken for even one moment in the knowledge that the enemy might strike at any time.
It is therefore all the more disturbing that, in the case of yesterday's attack, the Indonesian authorities -- apparently lulled by months of comparative peace in the capital city -- appear to have chosen to ignore warnings that were issued only last week by the American and Australian governments, alerting their citizens to the possibility of an imminent terrorist attack in Indonesia. As one may recall, on Aug. 5 last year, a similarly powerful blast ripped through the front of the JW Marriott Hotel, which is located in the same business district in which the Australian Embassy is located. That catastrophe, too, might have been prevented had the security authorities taken foreign intelligence warnings of a possible impending attack more seriously.
Last year's Marriott blast destroyed the front part of the American franchise establishment as well as parts of several surrounding buildings. Fourteen innocent lives were lost and 149 people were injured in that incident. So far, at least eight people have been reported killed in yesterday's bomb attack, and about a hundred had to be treated for injuries. By comparison, 11 innocent lives were lost in the Marriott blast last year and 149 were injured. However, while yesterday's carnage appeared less heavy in terms of human lives lost, its political implications could be considerably worse, considering that it occurred just 10 days before the final presidential run-off election on Sept. 20. It also remains to be seen what effect this most recent bomb attack will have on the county's ailing economy.
It is little consolation to know that the police are for the moment focusing their attention on finding two still-fugitive master terrorists who they believe were responsible for both the Bali tragedy in 2002 and the Marriott bombing last year -- the Malaysians Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top. Considering the evidence they have been able to collect at this moment, police believe the two are most likely also behind this latest incident as well.
Detestable is a mild word to convey the horror of yesterday's bomb attack. Those who are familiar with the Kuningan business district and embassy row in the morning hours around noon will find it easy to picture the throngs of people and vehicles passing the busy avenue during those hours. As easy to understand is the agony that is felt by thousands of Indonesian residents who happen to have friends or relatives living or working in Jakarta -- as was reflected by the countless spontaneous telephone calls and messages to the media immediately after the event, expressing outrage and condolences.
Amid the horror of yesterday's catastrophe, though, a glimmer of light could be noted. For once, the country's top leadership reacted promptly to the disaster to show their concern. President Megawati Soekarnoputri broke off her visit to Brunei Darussalam, where she was attending the wedding of Brunei's crown prince, to inspect the site of the tragedy and visit the victims of the attack in hospital. Minister of Health Ahmad Suyudi and other cabinet ministers also arrived on the site to issue the necessary instructions to their subordinates.
One last note, however, needs to be made. It seems to many of us that after the good work they did in Bali in 2002, our police officers and intelligence agencies have somehow allowed their vigilance to slacken. Let yesterday's bomb attack be a strong reminder, not only them but for all of us, that the fight against terrorism knows no respite. Not only must further attacks be prevented, the seeds of terrorism must be eliminated at the source, not with force, but with wisdom and tact. In conclusion, let us join in the pain and in the sorrow of those who suffer and who have lost their beloved in this horrendous incident.