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.