Public warned against making bomb threats

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)