President wants terror suspects arrested soon
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
As evidence of his commitment to fight terrorism, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono set on Friday a 100-day deadline for the National Police to capture the two most-wanted terror suspects, who have been implicated in various bomb attacks in the country.
The president also ordered the police to boost security before, during and after Idul Fitri festivities, which have always been marked by millions of people traveling to their hometowns.
"The president wants the police to locate (Malaysian nationals) Noordin Mohd. Top and Dr. Azahari within 100 days," National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar told reporters after the first Cabinet meeting, referring to the two top terror suspects in Southeast Asia, who have been on the run and are believed to be in West Java.
Da'i would not explain what consequences he would face if he failed to meet the president's deadline. Reports have circulated since Susilo's resounding victory on Sept. 20 that the new president would seek a replacement for Da'i, who was appointed by former president Megawati Soekarnoputri.
The 2002 police law extends the retirement age for top police officers to 58 years old from previously 55. Da'i will turn 55 on Jan. 25 next year.
Both Azahari and Noordin have been wanted since shortly after the Bali bombing on Oct. 12, 2002. While on the run they also are believed by police to have masterminded at least two more bomb attacks; one at the JW Marriott Hotel on Aug. 5, 2003 and the other in front of the Australian Embassy on Sept. 9, 2004, both in Jakarta.
Police spokespersons have said they had intensified the search for Noordin and Azahari, a British-trained engineer, following the bombing outside the Autralian embassy that killed 10 people.
The police believe that Noordin and Azahari are key members of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) regional terror network, and have continued recruiting new members to commit suicide bombings.
The police have said the two bomb experts are still in Indonesia and were benefiting from fellow Muslims around the country, who have been harboring them, and making it more difficult for the police to find them.
Hours after Susilo made the order to the police chief, the East Java police detained a man resembling Azahari and questioned him.
"We have not yet been able to confirm if he is Dr. Azahari," South Surabaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alex Sampe told reporters, but he did confirm that the police found obscene pictures in a book belonging to the man.
The man, calling himself 39-year-old T.H., was arrested following reports from locals who suspected he was the Malaysian bomb expert.
More than 150 people have been arrested since the Bali bombings and J.W. Marriott blast. Many of them have been convicted, with Bali bombing masterminds Imam Samudra, Ali Gufron and Amrozi handed down a death sentence.
Susilo also ordered the police chief to provide detailed reports on the development of security before, during and after the Idul Fitri, which will fall on Nov. 15.
Da'i said the police should focus their strategy on providing security for distribution of fuel and basic commodities as well the exodus of holiday travelers.
"We do not expect people to face any (security) problems during the celebration. We will secure the routes of holiday makers from South Sumatra to Bali," Da'i said.
More than one million vehicles are expected to be on the roads and highways of Java during the annual celebration. The state railway company announced recently that tickets for trips one week before and after Idul Fitri had been sold out.