Int'l schools still closed

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Though the police have deployed extra personnel at international schools in Jakarta, several of the schools remained closed on Tuesday.

"Following embassy representations in recent days, the Jakarta Police authorities have responded appropriately in providing a heightened security presence at all JIS campuses today," Jakarta International School headmaster Niall CW Nelson wrote on the JIS website www.jisedu.org on Tuesday.

The school quoted a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy last Friday saying the embassy had received credible information about the possible targeting of schools in Jakarta associated with Western interests.

Several international schools, particularly those from Western countries, have been closed since last Friday due to "credible reports of threats".

The British International School said: "There has been increased police security at both the Bintaro and Pondok Indah campuses."

"We hope to reopen on Thursday if the security provision continues to be satisfactory," the school said on its website www.bis.or.id.

The administration and operational manager for the New Zealand International School, Anneke, told The Jakarta Post the school would reopen on Wednesday.

"We decided to reopen the campus on Wednesday. The decision was taken on Sunday when we decided to close the school for two days," she said.

"But the decision to reopen on Wednesday will be reviewed if there are new developments."

Anneke said there were no police officers stationed at the school, but said the Pasar Minggu police subprecinct sent frequent patrols to monitor the area.

"We are in close contact with the subprecinct so that we can request immediate help," she said.

The Korean International School on Jl. Margasatwa in East Jakarta was open as usual on Tuesday.