Security beefed up at U.S. interests in Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Didi Widayadi said on Wednesday that police had heightened security nationwide at all installations related to the United States to anticipate possible attacks.

"The instruction has come from National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to strengthen security for American citizens and their assets in the country," Didi said.

He said that the American Embassy, which was closed on Wednesday and likely also on Thursday, had officially asked for the strengthening of security last month.

"With these incidents (in New York and Washington D.C.), we have all learned that such terrorist acts are catastrophic and we deeply deplore what has happened," he said.

Didi also asked the public to be alert for attempts to create unrest in the country as the operations of "international terrorists groups have been detected in several parts of Indonesia."

Without elaborating, Didi said police intelligence had identified five groups operating in the country that had used various issues to provoke unrest, such as religious and separatist issues.

"The most recently identified is Danny's group, which bombed Plaza Atrium in the Senen area recently," Didi said, referring to a Malaysian, one of the blast victims, who had been named a suspect in the incident.

Later on Wednesday, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti, Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil, the Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo A.S., the National Intelligence Agency Chief A.M. Hendropriyono and the operation deputy to the National Police Chief Cmr. Gen. Syahrudin ZP. held a special meeting to discuss the impact of the terrorist attacks.

But all, except Hendro, refused to talk to the media after attending the two-and-a-half-hour meeting.

When asked whether security would be tightened here, Hendro said: "All countries, including Indonesia, had already been on top alert as the U.S. had warned about the threat of international terrorism. But who could have predicted that such an attack would have hit the country (the U.S.) right at its heart?"

When asked whether Megawati would cancel her visit to the U.S., Hendro said: "We did not make that recommendation."

Meanwhile, the Jakarta International School (JIS), which has 2,300 students at three campuses -- Pattimura, Pondok Indah and Cilandak -- suspended its activities on Wednesday, in anticipation of terrorist attacks.

However, the North Jakarta International School (NJIS) with 210 students and owned by an American foundation in Kelapa Gading, opened on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Cengkareng did not beef up its airport security.

"There are no direct flights from here to New York or Washington, therefore, there will be no particular action," Toto, an assistant officer in charge of the airport, told The Jakarta Post over the phone. (emf/04/tso)