'House blast a terror message'

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Less than 24 hours after the police chief warned the public of the possibility of acts of terror, a bomb exploded at the compound of the House of Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday.

The explosion was also a wake-up call for the police, who enjoyed a victory just two days ago when they arrested nine suspected members of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) in Jakarta and Semarang.

The high explosive bomb, which exploded at 7:30 a.m., ripped through the rolling door of the central air-conditioner control room at the Nusantara IV building and shattered windows 75 meters away. The device was packed with shrapnel, including 15- centimeter nails, which police later found scattered 100 meters from the blast site.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

The compound was quiet since the House members are in recess.

"It is a warning to us that bomb threats still loom despite our success in arresting many terrorist suspects," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara told reporters at the blast site.

During Friday's arrest of suspected JI members, the police confiscated arms, ammunition, explosives and documents. One of the suspects apparently committed suicide during interrogation.

Makbul had said earlier that suspected terrorists had targeted public places, places of worship and planned the assassination of public figures, as indicated in documents police obtained including a list of MPR members.

The United Nations has listed JI as a terrorist network. JI is also believed to be responsible for the Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, and other bomb attacks in the country.

Alleged JI leader Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is on trial at the Central Jakarta District Court for treason and immigration violations.

Makbul said the police had yet to determine whether the blast was the work of JI.

National Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Zaenuri Lubis warned that around 3,000 JI members, who obtained battle experience in Afghanistan, remained free.

He said the figure was given by a JI member, identified as Dedy, who was arrested earlier in Ciamis, West Java.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said that the explosive used in Monday's blast was similar to the one that exploded in Terminal F of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and another on Jl. Wahid Hasyim in Central Jakarta behind the UN building, both in April.

"However, it doesn't necessarily mean that the suspects behind the bombing are the same," he said when visiting the scene.

Police originally blamed the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) for the April blasts. GAM has denied any involvement.

A police detective on the scene criticized the security system in the House compound, saying it would be difficult for police to find out who planted the bomb.

He also lambasted the security guards, who apparently rarely patrol the area around the blast site "because it is dark".

"We only have witnesses who heard the explosion. We haven't found any witnesses who saw suspicious material or persons," he said.

Agus, a security guard at the compound, said there were only eight guards on duty when the explosion occurred. Another eight guards were assigned to safeguard the House's top leaders.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung admitted that security in the compound was poor and said he would ask for extra security from police.

"We plan to add more 25 security guards," he said.

Editorial page 6

.PL .RM Major bomb attacks in Jakarta

Date Venue Casualties Status --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feb. 3, 2003 Wisma Bhayangkari, National one injured bomber formerly

Police Headquarters, S. Jakarta in police

bomb squad

Apr. 24, 2003 Jl. Wahid Hasyim behind the UN no injuries unresolved

representative office, Central

Jakarta

Apr. 27, 2003 Departure Terminal F at 11 injured unresolved

Soekarno-Hatta International

Airport

July, 14, 2003 The House of Representatives and no injuries unresolved

People's Consultative Assembly

compound