Jakarta beefs up security

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The police said on Monday they had increased security in the capital amid rising concern over possible terrorist attacks in Jakarta in the aftermath of the Bali bombings on Saturday night that claimed nearly 200 lives, mostly foreigners.

"We've tightened security to prevent an attack similar to the one in Bali from occurring here," said Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara.

Makbul said the police had increased the number of patrol units at locations considered possible targets of terrorist attacks, including entertainment centers, embassies, international schools and shopping malls, especially those frequented by expatriates.

"We have summoned all police precinct and subprecinct chiefs to discuss how many police officers will be deployed to several locations across the capital," Makbul said, declining to elaborate on the number of officers deployed.

Security concerns were already high before the Bali attacks after a series bombings in Jakarta this year. The latest incident was a grenade explosion near U.S.-owned property on Jl. Teluk Betung in Central Jakarta. It was the fourth such incident this year.

Police are still investigating the grenade explosion and have yet to announce a motive for the incident.

Armed police officers were seen guarding a number of embassies in Jakarta on Monday, including the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta and the United States Embassy on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta. All vehicles entering the embassies were searched.

A number of people lined up in front of the Australian Embassy to express their sympathy for the victims of the Bali bombings.

The Australian International School has canceled all academic activities on Monday and Tuesday in observance of the tragedy. Classes are scheduled to resume on Wednesday.

Makbul also said the police had told civilian security guards to be on the alert for possible attacks.

"Tonight (Monday) we will meet with the owners of entertainment and shopping centers here to discuss security matters," Makbul said.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso also urged the public to remain on the alert for any suspicious activity.

"We cannot simply let the police handle all of the security affairs. A joint effort to combat terrorist activities should involve the public, to help inform the police of any suspicious activity," said Sutiyoso.

Sutiyoso added that measures to increase the effectiveness of civilian security guards in public places like shopping centers and nightspots must be the highest priority.

Makbul said that the police had not received any requests to safeguard foreigners wanting to leave the city.

But the officer added that the Jakarta Police were cooperating with the Bali Police in assisting foreign tourists departing for their home countries from Jakarta.