Four detained over alleged plan to bomb mall

Four detained over alleged plan to bomb mall

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso
confirmed yesterday that his officers detained four men for
allegedly attempting to plant a bomb at Kelapa Gading Mall in
North Jakarta.

"The four are believed to belong to a group who always tries
to cause trouble in the capital, with the ultimate goal of
disrupting the general election," Sutiyoso said after attending a
mass prayer for the election scheduled tomorrow.

Sutiyoso said the four men were allegedly part of a group
trying to engineer riots in major business centers throughout the
city.

The military investigators had monitored the men's activities
over the last few days, he said.

City Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. Djazairi Nachrowi
said the men were arrested at a parking lot at the shopping
center yesterday.

Nachrowi said the arrest was made possible after officers from
the North Jakarta Military District were curious about the men,
as they were suspiciously wandering around the shopping center
early in the morning.

"We confiscated stones and gasoline from them," he said.
The men were alleged to have tried setting fire to the shopping
center.

However, the officers did not find any Molotov cocktails or
other bombs which were believed to have been planted in the
shopping center, Sutiyoso said.

Nachrowi said the military was still investigating the case.
"We will soon send the men to the police as soon as we finish the
investigation."

Sutiyoso urged people not to be disturbed by the arrest,
because the military is determined to maintain public security.

"Don't worry, just go to your polling booths. We will guard
your safety," he said.

Sutiyoso further explained that about 25,000 officers,
including 12,000 policemen, would be deployed to safeguard the
election in the capital.

By comparison, similar deployment at the end of the campaign
period on Friday reached 20,000 officers.

Certain areas receiving extra security will mainly be business
centers, Sutiyoso said.

Meanwhile, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said the
deployment of 12,000 police officers was primarily aimed at
safeguarding the 21,419 polling stations throughout Greater
Jakarta.

To enable those in hospitals and prisons to vote, mobile
stations will be provided for them, City Police spokesman Lt.
Col. E. Aritonang said.

"For instance, those detained at City Police Headquarters will
be catered to by polling officers from the Senayan subdistrict in
Kebayoran," he said. (jun/ste)

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