Strong bomb blast rocks Jl. Sabang

JAKARTA (JP): A strong bomb blast extensively damaged the vacant three-story Ramayana department store and shattered windows and billboards of nearby shops on Jl. H. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta on Saturday morning.

Besides leaving a big hole in the ground, the blast also damaged a Colt van parked in front of the store. The car belonged to a night security guard, Djoni, who was on duty in the area.

No fatalities were reported. The street, popularly known as Jl. Sabang, was deserted when the explosion happened at 5 a.m.

Total losses have yet to be estimated. The lower part of the department store, which stopped operation after being damaged during last year's mid-May riot, was extensively damaged.

By late last night, police had yet to name anybody as a suspect in the blast, which is the first act of terror in Jakarta this year.

Police say the powerful explosion, which could be heard within a one-kilometer radius, came from one of three bombs planted at different spots at the location by a group of unidentified men several minutes earlier.

Head of the Jakarta Police detectives, Col. Alex Bambang Riatmojo, who rushed to the site, told reporters that two of the bombs failed to detonate.

None of the police officers at the scene were willing to give out detailed information about the explosive device.

According to Bambang, the three bombs were similar in size: round, 10 centimeters in diameter and five centimeters high. Each of them had a fuse.

But a security officer revealed that the explosives, believed to be devices which were professionally handmade, were carefully packed in big bottles.

"The looked like Molotov cocktails with a fuse on top. But it probably had TNT inside," the source said, referring to the flammable toxic compound trinitrotoluene.

His opinion was backed up by head of the National Police detectives, Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, who strongly believes the device was assembled by a professional.

"At least this guy understands and knows how to use it," said Da'i, adding that no party had claimed responsibility for Saturday's blast.

Feroza jeep

According to security officers, a group of at least six men arrived at the site on three motorcycles, in a red Feroza jeep and a white Kijang van.

Quoting four witnesses, including two security guards, head of the Central Jakarta Police Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said the culprits placed the devices in front of three business premises and left the site in their vehicles.

Eyewitness Adi Surahman, a parking attendant, said he saw six men arrive on three motorcycles at about 4:50 a.m. and put packages in front of the vacant department store, the neighboring Galeri FS clothing store and Gardena restaurant.

He said the first bomb outside Ramayana exploded shortly after it was ignited by the men.

Adi said he could not identify the men because they were wearing full-face helmets.

According to Iman, the police have a physical description of the suspects.

The reason behind the blast is as yet unknown. Some speculate it may be an attempt to spark fresh fears among Jakartans. Others say it could be a local problem.

KT. Adnani, 60, owner of Srivishnu's tailor, told reporters that the blast could have something to do with a 14-year-old dispute between state Bank Dagang Negara and the owners of the plot where the three business premises stand.

"But let the police investigate this case," he said.

On Dec. 11, the city was shocked by an explosion in an automated teller machine booth of Bank Central Asia at Atrium Senen shopping center in Central Jakarta, damaging the windows, ceiling and walls. There were no casualties and police have made no arrests.

Last Wednesday, an explosion on a vacant plot on Jl. Jend. Sudirman in South Jakarta stunned motorists and employees in the Central Business District and police officers.

Both blasts remain a mystery. (ivy/emf/bsr)