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.