Police beef up security at airports

Police beef up security at airports

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar, Bali

Hot on the heels of the bomb attack at the Soekarno-Hatta
International Airport in Jakarta on Sunday morning, police said
on Monday they had beefed up security at airports nationwide.

"We have deployed more troops and equipped them with metal
detectors," National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar told
reporters after attending a Cabinet meeting at the State Palace.

"We apologize for any inconvenience caused by such security
measures," Da'i said.

The low-yield bomb injured 11 people, including Yuli, an 18-
year-old baby sitter, who lost her left leg.

Five other injured people, Yuli, Minarti, Jihan, Silvia, and
Ruswati, were still undergoing medical treatment at the Tangerang
General Hospital in Banten Province and the Pantai Indah Kapuk
Hospital in North Jakarta.

The attack, the fourth bombing in Jakarta this year, came less
than a week after a similar device exploded behind the United
Nations Representative Office on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, in Central
Jakarta.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara
said that in addition to increased security at the Soekarno-Hatta
airport terminal, security would be tightened in the airport
compound.

Similar measures were also taken by police at the second
largest international airport in Indonesia, Ngurah Rai
International airport in Bali.

Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Budi Setyawan said he had ordered
police to anticipate a similar attack.

Bali has been in the international limelight following the
terrorist attack that claimed more than 200 lives last year.
Trials of those accused of involvement in the bombing are
expected to begin in the middle of May.

Airport police chief Adj. Comr. Sri Suari Wahyudi said they
had interviewed more than 10 witnesses but had made little
progress with their investigation.

However, Da'i said police were currently looking at the
possibility the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) were involved.

"We cannot say whether there are relations between the blast
and the movement, but due to the similarities with the Medan
bombing, which was conducted by GAM members, we have to look at
this possibility," Da'i said.

There is also widespread speculation that the Indonesian
Military (TNI) could have planted the bombs to discredit GAM.

Separately, Makbul expressed concern with the coordination of
security guards at the airport, but did not blame police.

Police officers were responsible for security in the public
areas, including the parking lots, while security guards working
for Angkasa Pura II oversaw the restricted areas.

However, Suari blamed the incident on the passengers, saying
they were ignorant of security concerns. "Many witnesses have
seen the unattended bag (containing the bomb), but they simply
thought it was luggage belonging to a passenger sitting near to
the bag," Suari said.

In future, luggage left unattended for more than five minutes
would be inspected, he said.

"That is one of international standards that we have not been
imposed so far."

Suari also complained that many government officials were
refusing to submit to security searches, arguing they deserved to
be treated differently.

Meanwhile, activities appeared to be returning to normal at
the blast site on Monday. Passengers were packing the departure
hall as normal. The Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) fast food
restaurant and the Sky Cafe Restaurant and Coffee House, which
were close to the explosion, were also open as usual.

The police line was removed on Sunday evening and all the
debris removed. Only empty window panes were left.