Military on alert during president's overseas trip

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) will heighten its alertness in anticipation of possible domestic disturbances during President Abdurrahman Wahid's two-week absence.

"All officers are on alert over possible disturbances," TNI chief Admiral Widodo A.S. said after seeing off the President at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

Abdurrahman left Jakarta on Friday for a two-week overseas visit to 13 European and Asian countries.

He said the military was coordinating with the National Police over improvements in domestic security.

"TNI will fully back up police in enforcing the law," Widodo said.

National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo also confirmed a beefing up of security during the President's trip.

"Security will be increased. We don't want something bad happening (while he's away)," Rusdihardjo was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the heightened alertness was also prompted by the finding of a bomb in Yogyakarta's grand mosque.

President Abdurrahman revealed on Thursday the finding of the bomb and ordered the police to capture the mastermind behind its planting.

The "TNT-type" explosive, which was found on Wednesday at the mosque, was believed to have been professionally made, Yogyakarta Police said.

Separately, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who was asked about the President's foreign trip, said he had asked the President to pay more attention to the sectarian violence in Maluku and North Maluku.

"House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and I met with Gus Dur on Thursday night, hours before his departure, to ask him to contact TNI leaders every hour to ensure there would be no more bloodshed in Maluku and North Maluku," he said, referring to the President by his popular name.

Nevertheless, he expected the situation at home to remain calm during the President's trip.(jun/rms)