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.