Police silent on blast probe

Police silent on blast probe

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police claimed that they had made significant progress in the
investigation over the suspects in Monday's grenade explosion
near a U.S.-property in Central Jakarta, but refused to give
details to the public for fear of disinformation, a senior
official stated on Wednesday.

"We have come up with some significant results from our
investigation. But, there have been shortcomings which should be
completed. Just wait, in the coming days, the results will be
made public," said City Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
Padmanagara.

He added he would not reveal any details of the ongoing
investigation, as it could be compromised if leaked. "We don't
want any distortion of information to the public, which could
occur if we simply unveiled the results (of the investigation
right now)."

The police on Tuesday dismissed allegations that the
masterminds behind the botched attack was a terrorist network,
saying that the blast, which killed one of the assailants, was a
result of a "loan dispute".

On Monday, National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said the
grenade that blew up inside the attackers' car was meant to be
detonated at a house belonging to the U.S. Embassy. The statement
was contradicted later in the day by the city police chief.

Meanwhile, City Police Bomb Squad Detective, Adj. Sr. Comr.
Carlo Brix Tewu said on Wednesday that the progress was possibly
related to the new facts or evidence found by the police.

"But, it (that progress) cannot be revealed until it is all
complete and the dossier is ready for the next legal step."

City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam also said
the progress was likely a result of new evidence found, not
necessarily new suspects.

"We have not arrested any new suspects," he said.