Further terror attacks imminent, police chief warns

Further terror attacks imminent, police chief warns

M. Taufiqurrahman and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta

Eight days after the blast at the JW Marriott Hotel, top
officials warned on Wednesday that Indonesians should brace
themselves for future terror attacks.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar based his warning on
the fact that captured members of terror group Jamaah Islamiyah
(JI) had admitted they were planning another major terrorist
attack. In addition, he said, six key Bali bombing suspects were
still on the run, with the masterminds behind the attack still
unidentified.

"I warn all people in Jakarta that there might be another
attack, so we should all remain vigilant" he told a press
conference here.

He called on the public to cooperate with the police to
maintain security. "Please don't feel uncomfortable with the
presence of rifle-totting police in public areas. They are there
to guard you," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that although there was no specific
intelligence indicating that an attack was imminent, the current
security situation was too volatile to predict what could happen.

"If we read the current political situation, we are shortly
going to celebrate our independence day, for instance, which
means large gatherings across the country. The trial of Abu Bakar
Ba'asyir and the trials of suspects of the October 2002 Bali
bombings are still ongoing. So, in my assessment, the terrorists
may intend to mount another attack," he said.

Australia, the United States and Britain have warned that more
terrorist attacks might occur in the near future.

Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday backed a warning by
Australian intelligence that another devastating terrorist attack
was inevitable. His government has issued a travel warning urging
Australians to defer all non-essential travel to Indonesia.

Australia's foreign affairs department has also advised
travelers to avoid international hotels in Jakarta, which it
feared might be the targets of terror attacks.

On Friday, the U.S. State Department warned that extremists
could be plotting more attacks against Americans in Indonesia, as
well as U.S. government facilities and personnel.

Ambassador Ralph Boyce repeated the warning on Wednesday,
saying that "it is likely that there will be further attempts to
create terror incidents."

A senior Western diplomat has also said "there are indications
pointing to suicide bombers being active in Indonesia."

Security in the capital has been stepped up noticeably in the
past week.

Last month, police arrested nine suspected members of the al
Qaeda-linked Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terror group blamed for last
October's Bali attacks, and seized large quantities of
explosives. Unconfirmed reports said that further large
quantities of explosives were transported to Jakarta prior to the
Marriott blast.

Police have arrested 30 alleged JI members for their roles in
a string of terror attacks in the country. Some of them are
currently standing trial at the Denpasar District Court.

Alleged JI leader Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is on trial for treason
and immigration violations. Prosecutors have demanded 15 years
imprisonment for the cleric. He is not accused of any role in the
Bali blasts.