Security in capital heightened on fears of second attack

Security in capital heightened on fears of second attack

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Skyscrapers and other major buildings in the capital have
increased their security measures following warnings from a
number of countries, as well as the government, of a possible
second terrorist attack hard on the heels of the deadly Bali
bombing.

Security checks were also tightened on Tuesday in shopping
malls, hotels, offices and most public places, with security
officers using metal detectors to inspect all incoming vehicles
and visitors.

Plaza Senayan in South Jakarta, Taman Anggrek Mall in West
Jakarta and Plaza Atrium Senen, for instance, imposed security
checks on all incoming vehicles at their entrances.

The situation was the same in high-rise buildings, especially
those housing foreign institutions such as the Widjojo Center,
which hosts the British Council.

Local media reported that after the Bali carnage, companies
that sold metal detectors had been overwhelmed with orders as
most buildings tried to equip their security departments with the
devices.

The increase in security measures was especially noticeable
following warnings from Australia that Jakarta might be the next
target for terror attacks following the bombing in Bali that
killed at least 190 people, mostly foreigners, and injured more
than 300 others.

Australia, and then Britain, even advised their citizens to
avoid specific public places in the city such as the Kota area,
Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Taman Anggrek, Pasar Baru and Pasar Senen.

City Police detectives' chief Sr. Comr. Andi Chaerudin,
however, played down the warnings, saying that the police had yet
to uncover any significant threat to security in the capital.

"Bomb hoaxes are abundant but our bomb squad has found nothing
significant like explosives or other things," said Andi.

He also said that no specific locations, including the places
mentioned by the Australian and British governments, had received
special attention from the police.

"Building managements are responsible for the security in
their own buildings. The police will only back them up if
needed," Andi said.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, nevertheless, confirmed on Tuesday the
possibility of a second terror attack, but he did not say where
the target might be.

"From intelligence information, there are indications that
there will be a second attack in a different part of the
country," Susilo said.

He noted that the police were on alert across the country.

"We have assigned our security forces to safeguard vital
installations such airports and other public facilities, and the
police have deployed their personnel to increase security
measures," Susilo said.

The predictions were made based on a possible backlash from
hardline Muslim groups in the country against foreigners after
Jakarta launched a crackdown against these groups as part of its
reaction to the Bali bombing.

After detaining hardline Islam Defenders' Front (FPI) chairman
Habib Rizieq Shihab, the police moved on Sunday to detain aging
Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir on charges of plotting the
assassination of President Megawati Soekarnoputri and involvement
in a series of bombings in recent years.

The police's move, nevertheless, was challenged by Ba'asyir's
supporters who protested against his detention in a hospital in
Surakarta, Central Java, where Ba'asyir is being treated.

Singapore, Malaysia and the United States have described
Ba'asyir as the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, which is
likely to be labeled a terrorist group by the U.S.

Ba'asyir has denied all charges, and even claims that Jemaah
Islamiyah does not exist.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that
police investigators were looking into a possible connection
between the Bali bombing and Jemaah Islamiyah.

He also said that the police were trying to locate another
wanted Southeast Asian terrorist leader, an Indonesian citizen
named Riduan Isamuddin alias Hambali, who was also been sought by
Malaysia and Singapore.

"Hambali is the focus of the search," Da'i remarked.