Public warned against making bomb threats
JAKARTA (JP): Police ordered troublemakers, who have been making phony bomb threats to incite unrest, to cease the irresponsible behavior.
City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the bomb hoaxes had caused chaos.
But the public is fed up with the threats and no longer believe the callers' capers anymore.
"The callers only have one aim in mind: to make people confused and scared."
Aritonang made the statement following three fresh bomb hoaxes, which were reported to police yesterday.
The targeted buildings were Lippo Super Mall in Karawaci, Tangerang, Bank Harapan Sentosa's headquarters on Jl. Gajah Mada in West Jakarta and the newsroom of private television station Indosiar on Jl. Bendungan Hilir in Central Jakarta.
He said many people were less likely to panic when they heard a bomb threat had been made.
"Several employees even refused to vacate the threatened building and keep on working while the bomb squad sweeps the building. They move out only after policemen ask them to."
Aritonang said most people felt safe because all office buildings and malls were guarded by police officers.
"We've been increasing the number of personnel to guard the buildings. We watch over them night and day."
He said the bomb squad would always check out every report of a bomb. "That's our standard procedure."
At least 12 bomb hoaxes have been reported at office buildings and public facilities since the Jan. 18 bomb blast at a Tanah Tinggi apartment in Central Jakarta.
Aritonang said the bomb squad had found no trace or indication of a bomb at any of the sites.
"So far, nothing related to explosive materials has ever been found at the scene. Nothing at all. See, those callers just wanted to make us all confused."
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin called yesterday for the public to look out for people who act suspicious around telephones in public places, such as bus terminals or markets.
"Those who like to stand in the corner of a telephone box as if talking to their boyfriend or girlfriend, could possibly be callers who threaten to blow up buildings."
The callers probably make the threats for their own gratification, he said.
But certain groups may be behind the bomb threats and the calls may be intended to cause a disturbance during next month's General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, he said.
Lippo Super Mal center management received a call about 8:30 a.m. yesterday, saying that bombs were set to explode in Wall Mart and Mega M super stores.
The bomb squad arrived about 10 a.m., cleared the scene and searched for bombs.
Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Aryanto Boedihardjo said there were no explosive devices found at the scene. The mall reopened about noon and shoppers returned.
The bomb squad found nothing in the Bank Harapan Sentosa building or Indosiar newsroom.
Dozens of officers were deployed to evacuate people from the buildings and secure the area. The incident caused heavy traffic congestion in areas around the bank. (41/edt/cst/jun)