Police renew warning of bomb attacks

Police renew warning of bomb attacks

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Following warnings of terrorist attacks during the ongoing
fasting month, the police have beefed up security around foreign
embassies in Jakarta, foreign representative offices, western
facilities, and tourist sites across the country.

National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said there was still
a great possibility that Malaysian fugitives Azahari bin Husin
and Noordin Moh Top, as well as their accomplices, would launch
attacks as they were still in possession of explosives.

"The explosion at a rented house in Cicurug village recently
told us that an expert had assembled the bomb. We believe that it
was the work of Azahari and Noordin," said Da'i.

Azahari and Noordin are the alleged masterminds of the 2002
Bali bombings that killed 202 people, the 2003 JW Marriott Hotel
Jakarta attack that claimed 12 lives and last month's deadly
suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy, which left 11
people dead.

The two Malaysians have reportedly recruited several new
suicide bombers.

Da'i said the live bomb circuits and two backpacks of
explosives found in Cicurug, Sukabumi were sophisticated and
ready to use.

He said the four men who left the rented house after the
explosion were still carrying a significant amount of explosives
with them.

"Judging from the explosives in their possession and the
possibility that several more suicide bombers are on the run, we
believe they have the capability to launch more attacks in the
near future," said Da'i.

He added that police had deployed more personnel to intensify
security measures in embassies, malls and clubs as well as
foreign businesses across the country.

Police will deploy around 90,000 personnel seven days before
and after Idul Fitri, which will fall on Nov. 15. Police in
Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and
Lampung will deploy two thirds of their personnel to maintain
security during Idul Fitri.

The United States has advised its citizens in Indonesia to
take additional security precautions against possible terrorist
attacks ahead of the holiday, which marks the end to the fasting
month.

The U.S. State Department said the embassy in Jakarta
continued to receive reports that terrorist organizations could
attempt to carry out attacks against identifiably U.S. or other
Western facilities or businesses in Indonesia.

In its message, the embassy reminded U.S. nationals in
Indonesia "to observe vigilant personal security precautions and
to remain aware of the continued potential for terrorist attacks
against Americans or American interests in Indonesia and
worldwide".

Da'i said he had ordered all personnel down to the subdistrict
level to be more active in searching for the fugitive bombers,
and to conduct regular checks on rented houses in their area.

"I acknowledge many officers in the region just stay in the
office and only wait for information from people. This attitude
has contributed to our failure to arrest the suspects in Cicurug.
Had they be more active, we could have nabbed them," he said.