Jakarta blast dominates world media with views split over effects
Jakarta blast dominates world media with views split over effects
The bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta dominated Asian newspapers on Friday but opinions were divided over the political impact of the attack.
At least nine people died and 180 injured in an attack that would have repercussions for upcoming Australian elections and raised questions over the ability of Indonesia to tackle terrorism, according to editorials from across the region.
The bombing thrust national security to the forefront of Australia's Oct. 9 general election with newspapers there agreeing that it was an unprecedented attack on the nation.
"Terror at our door" said the Australian newspaper with the Sydney Morning Herald declaring "Evil at our gate" accompanied by pictures of the bomb-ravaged embassy.
In the immediate aftermath of the bombing, both Prime Minister John Howard and opposition Labor Party leader Mark Latham suspended campaigning that had previously been dominated by economic issues.
"The bombing in Jakarta could become the event that crushed Mark Latham's bid to get a Labor government elected," the Daily Telegraph said, pointing out that opinion polls showed most voters viewed Howard as more capable on national security.
The Sydney Morning Herald said the attack was likely to create a mood of uncertainty and insecurity. "Such a feeling often encourages voters to stay with the incumbent government," it said.
The Straits Times said it was less clear how voters would react and pointed to the Madrid train bombings just before elections in Spain, which also had troops in Iraq, that led to a change in government.
The blast targeting Australia, a U.S. ally, "raises important questions about the timing, intention and consequences," said the newspaper in its Friday editorial.
The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong said the attack was likely to bring Indonesian public opinion behind efforts to tackle terrorism with both candidates in Sept. 20 presidential polls vowing to take a hard line.
"Yesterday's attack suggests the threat posed by JI (Jamaah Islamiyah) remains a big one. Even if it was carried out by a different group, the conclusion is unavoidable. Indonesia -- the world's most populous Muslim country -- cannot afford to soften its stance on terrorism." -- AFP