Shopping malls increase security amid blasts
Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Shopping malls are boosting security following Monday evening's blast at Graha Cijantung Mall in East Jakarta.
The management of major shopping malls in the city told their security to stay alert after the explosion, which injured eight shoppers.
"Soon after the explosion, we intensified security, including the checking of all cars with detectors," Ciputra Mall security chief Phutut Subagyo said, adding that a meeting with all lease holders would also be called.
The incident, however, did not discourage shoppers.
"The blast did not significantly stop visitors from coming here," an employee from Mall Taman Anggrek in West Jakarta said.
The explosion occurred in the basement stairwell of the Graha Cijantung Mall near the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) headquarters at 7:20 p.m. on Monday. Police said it was a big firecracker, not a bomb.
"Such terror is unpredictable," said Iwan Supiandi, the general manager of the four-story Graha Cijantung Mall.
The mall opened for business around noon or two hours late, and it was not business as usual. There were not many visitors, either.
"I am still scared, even now," said Ida, a shop owner in the basement level.
Dati, who lives not far from the mall, said that terror was a common part of living in the city. "But I cannot deny that I'm a bit worried."
She said that she had the guts to go to the mall due to the increased security, adding that she was not sure the authorities would be able to solve the case, as with past bombings.
The latest explosion to shake the city took place last month when a small bomb exploded in front of a discotheque and a second exploded at the parking lot of Jayakarta Hotel in West Jakarta. The case remains unsolved.
Bambang, a visitor at Pondok Indah Mall in South Jakarta, said that he not afraid of visiting the mall.
Jakarta Police chief Makbul Padmanagara said Tuesday that police was still in the dark about who was behind the explosion at the Cijantung Mall, which is owned by a Kopassus (Indonesian Military Special Forces) Foundation.
A police officer, who requested anonymity, said Kopassus's involvement in the case was hampering progress.
He said that the Kopassus banned them from checking the crime scene soon after the incident as many Kopassus members had already been there to conduct the investigation.
It was not until Kopassus finished checking the scene that the police was allowed to take their turn.
On Tuesday morning, when the police returned to the spot, they were surprised to find out that the area was already cleaned up.
The cleaning service supervisor, Bartolomeus, said that the area was cleaned up upon the request of the mall management.