Jakartans undeterred by bomb blasts

The planting of four bombs outside three entertainment centers in Jakarta on Sunday -- two of which exploded injuring five people -- has sparked fears among residents that they could be the next casualties. Some of them, who were undeterred by the incident, shared their concerns with The Jakarta Post. They realize that life must go on although the police have failed to reveal suspects in previous bombings in the past.

Ferry Irawan, 27, an employee of a state-owned company on Jl. Salemba, Central Jakarta.

"Bombing cases? I think Jakartans have already gotten used to it as it has happened here several times. Everybody, including me, must feel threatened by the incident.

However, life goes on although only a few of the bombing cases were unveiled by the police. I couldn't just stay at home as I have many activities to do.

I will never know if I'll become a victim of a bomb explosion in the future. I don't expect it but anyhow it could happen to me. No one can predict it and I don't trust the police.

I'm very alert about the issue. My car insurance covers riot and bombing claims. It's probably too much, but I consider it a protection."

Dewi Sianipar, 40, a shop owner at the International Trade Center (ITC) Mangga Dua, West Jakarta. She lives in the Green Ville housing complex on Jl. Tanjung Duren Baru, West Jakarta.

Of course I'm always afraid that such a bomb explosion will take place at my shop some time. The government has not worked well in improving security conditions in our country. Security is very important for small-scale businessperson like me.

I also do not know why the police do nothing to end this problem.

I hope such an insecure condition will end soon to enable me do business in a normal way without any fears of bomb explosions and other violent acts.

However, I'm not very optimistic as it seems the government and other leaders have no strong intention to resolve the problems. What we can do is pray to God, hoping that all problems will be solved soon."

Sun Cay, was born in Jakarta 30 years ago. He runs two cellular phone outlets; one is in ITC Roxy Mas and another is in ITC Cempaka Mas, both in Central Jakarta.

"Surely, the bomb explosion affects my sense of security as well as my business. On Sunday, the market was too bleak which made me unable to sell even a single cellphone.

The bomb blast has worsened the already-sluggish business amid the 2002 soccer World Cup fever which has people glued to their television sets. I don't know how long the impact will last.

But, like most of the vendors here, I will have to open my outlets to serve our regular customers. Besides, the building management have promised to increase the security."

Fadly, 35, an employee at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta:

"The latest bomb explosion at the Exotis discotheque did not really effect me. My friends did not pay serious attention to the matter either.

I don't know why the issue did not really attract our attention. Perhaps it's because there were no lives claimed at the accident or because we don't really care since we never go to discotheques.

Although one bomb was found at the Sarinah shopping center parking lot, which is quite close to my office, it didn't even scare us. Have we lost our sensitivity? I don't know.

I think the bombs might relate to the current political struggle among the elite." -- JP