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.