Mega appeals for calm

President Megawati Soekarnoputri called for calm and urged people to remain on the alert following Thursday's huge bomb blast in front of the Australian Embassy in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

"I ask all Indonesians to stay united in fighting terrorism. Everybody should remain calm and alert," the President said after visiting bomb victims at the Metropolitan Medical Center Hospital close to the bomb site. Seven people were killed and 161 injured in the blast.

She said it was difficult for the police to detect the planning of such incidents without the help of the public.

"Please watch over your own neighborhoods and inform the authorities should you find something suspicious," Megawati said.

The President visited the bomb site soon after she flew in from Brunei Darussalam to attend the wedding of Crown Prince Muhtadee Billah Bolkiah. She cut short her visit upon learning of the bombing, which occurred just 11 days before presidential election runoff.

Megawati consoled the victims during her visit to the hospital, where she was accompanied by Cabinet ministers and her husband, Taufik Kiemas.

"Let us condemn this incident that has taken the lives of innocent people. I also express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims," she said.

Megawati said she would talk to Australian Prime Minister John Howard as soon as possible. The President is slated to meet visiting Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer on Friday.--JP