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.