Nation battens down over Aug. 17 threats

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Police are beefing up security in major cities across the country to prevent possible terror attacks during the Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 17.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said he had ordered the deployment of reinforcement officers to secure public places during the celebrations.

"We have to anticipate attacks, although we cannot specifically identify where and when terror strikes might take place," he said after attending a ceremony at the State Palace on Thursday.

Indonesia has been in high alert since the JW Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta last week, which killed 12 people and injured more than 100 others.

Da'i did not say how many police officers would be deployed ahead of the celebrations, but M16-carrying officers are easy to spot around the capital.

The armed officers have been providing support to security guards at hotels, shopping malls and other public places since last weekend.

At the State Palace, where the main Independence Day celebration will take place on Sunday, soldiers have tightened security measures. All vehicles, including cars carrying ministers, are thoroughly checked before being allowed to enter the palace.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned on Thursday of the possibility of terrorist attacks in Jakarta during the Independence Day celebrations.

"I am very concerned specifically about Jakarta. The 17th is Indonesia's national day so it's a day where this sort of thing could happen," Downer told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Downer said Australian intelligence indicated more attacks were being planned in Indonesia, and that a strike could occur this Sunday.

The Australian foreign ministry repeated its warning that it continued "to receive reports that further attacks are being planned against so-called soft targets, including international hotels, shopping centers or identifiably Western businesses".

Indonesia has been on high alert since the JW Marriott Hotel bombing in Jakarta last week, which killed 12 people and injured more than 100 others.

The Australian foreign ministry repeated its warning this week, saying it continued "to receive reports that further attacks are being planned against so-called soft targets, including international hotels, shopping centers or identifiably Western businesses."

Indonesia has been hit by two major bombings in less than a year.

The Marriott blasts on Aug. 5 killed 12 people and injured nearly 150. Two bombs that ripped through a nightclub district on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Oct. 12 killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

Both attacks have been blamed on the regional al-Qaida linked terror group Jamaah Islamiyah.

Warnings from foreign governments such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States regarding possible further attacks were issued following the Marriott bombing.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta advised its nationals on Wednesday "to take special precautions regarding their personal security and avoid large gatherings" on the weekend.

Da'i has also warned of further possible attacks following a crackdown against the Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist network, which the police have blamed for last year's Bali bombing and the Marriott attack.

He said the recent death sentence given to one of the perpetrators of the Bali bombings and the ongoing trial of other suspects could trigger retaliatory attacks.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has proposed that the Indonesian Military deploy troops around the capital ahead of the national day celebrations.