Makassar police beef up security in recollection of 2002 blasts

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi

South Sulawesi provincial police will beef up security in the capital Makassar and regional areas ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday, as two bomb attacks here on the eve of the Islamic holiday last year are still fresh in the minds of many.

Sr. Comr. A. Nurman Tahir, spokesman of the South Sulawesi provincial police, told reporters on Saturday that security measures would be tightened in the capital, in order to prevent a repeat of last year's attacks.

"Under operation Ketupat Liput 2003 (or code name ketupat, referring to the special rice cakes eaten at Idul Fitri) we will increase police personnel in the areas up to 20 percent from last year's holiday. Military and other related forces will assist us," Nurman said.

Under the operation a total of 4500 personnel will be deployed -- 3500 from the police, 500 from the military, and another 500 from paramedic units and from the Land Transportation Agency.

Most personnel will be deployed in the capital, while others will be deployed in regional areas.

The Ketupat Liput operation will run for two weeks, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, or seven days before and after Idul Fitri.

Last year's attacks ripped through a McDonald's fast-food restaurant and a car showroom, owned by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla.

Three people were killed, while fifteen others were injured in the two explosions.

Nurman warned that further attacks were a possibility as the perpetrators of last year's bombings were still at large.

But, Nurman told people not to be afraid, as police personnel had identified crime spots and other areas likely to be targeted by terrorists.

Among the 131 crime spots he acknowledged were the Trans Sulawesi road, shopping malls, restaurants, religious sites and tourist resorts.

Nurman declined to specify which areas he thought likely to be targeted by terrorists. However, he promised that the police would deploy bomb squads in these areas and keep suspicious individuals out.

He was quick to add that 200 police personnel will be on 24- hour standby at the police headquarters in the capital during the operation.

The Idul Fitri holiday will fall on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26.