'There is no Heaven for terrorists'

The horror of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy in United States, when terrorists flew commercial airplanes into the World Trade Center (WTC) twin towers in New York and the Pentagon Defense Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, killing thousands of innocent lives, seems like it was just yesterday.

A string of terrorist attacks worldwide, including the Oct. 12, 2002 bombing of nightclubs on Bali and the Aug. 5 JW Marriott Hotel blast in Jakarta, followed. Many people condemned the merciless acts and consider terrorism a serious threat. Some people spoke to The Jakarta Post about terrorism, recalling their reactions to the tragedies.

Anton, 42, is a manager of a supermarket in West Jakarta and lives in Tangerang with his wife and son:

The WTC tragedy a couple of years ago was a clear indicator of the existence of international terrorist networks.

The Bali bombing and the recent JW Marriott hotel blasts also provided hard evidence of that a terrorist network existed in Indonesia.

So, why have we, particularly the government, always tried to ignore them and doubted the existence of terrorism here?

I even believe that there are many more terrorist cells in the country now, particularly after seeing how terrorist attacks have sprouted in various places. I guess Indonesia is a haven and hot- bed for terrorists.

Terrorists are evil, because their acts always take innocent people lives.

I realize that we are living in a country that respects the due process of the law, but for terrorist suspects, authorities should impose the harshest punishment possible.

I mean that they deserve the maximum punishment, and they should never be allowed to appeal. Otherwise, they have the chance to have their sentences downgraded. This is ridiculous.

I think the Bali bombing trials are only a waste of time and money. We should not allow the suspects to bide their time going to the Higher Court and Supreme Court with an appeal. They'll only provide a model for other terrorists to follow.

Anwar, 25, is a security officer at a busy shopping center in West Jakarta, and lives with his family in Ciledug, Tangerang:

I personally condemn the WTC tragedy and other terror attacks around the world.

Terrorists continue to terrify people in many ways, even in this country. I believe they are still here.

As a moderate Muslim, I feel ashamed that the terrorist suspects in the Bali tragedy -- and other attacks -- disrespect the court in the name of God. It's really embarrassing and shameful.

I don't think they will go to Heaven, despite their strong desire for the death sentence and belief that they will die God's martyrs. Never. Heaven is not for merciless and crafty people like them.

I have to admit that I am worried about the possibility of further terror acts. I'm afraid to inspect unattended cars in the parking lot, but I have to. It's my job and I've no choice, because I work in an area that might be a possible target.

I also feel uneasy whenever I have to conduct security checks on shoppers. It's inconvenient for them, I'm sure, but they understand that such checks are conducted for the security of all.

Once, I heard a customer complain about the tight security, but I could see that he was saying what he was, because he was not a terrorist.

All the inconvenience resulting from security checks and heightened vigilance is a small cost to pay for our common security.

Ririn, 23, was shopping in Blok M, South Jakarta, when the Post caught up with her. She lives with friends in a rented house in Ciledug:

I hate seeing the terror acts, such as the ones that blew apart the WTC twin towers and the others in Bali and Jakarta.

I fear that there are many more mindless people who volunteer as terrorists here, because of the poverty and the unemployment problems.

We have to face the fact that terrorist threats will remain until the problems are solved. Even the terrorist cells continue to expand.

It's not a matter of being afraid or not -- I see that the government and security apparatus are always left behind by the terrorists, and it doesn't seem that they're being professional in taking anticipatory measures to crack down on terrorist cell embryos.

It's usually the case that they become serious only after the deadly attacks have already taken place.

The bomb blasts that claimed the innocent and scared everyone into hiding are a good lesson for all sides, especially relevant authorities, to take the necessary and harsh measures to fight terrorism.

The government should not be afraid of any one or any group who, in some way, may be potential terrorists. Otherwise, many more innocent people will be killed. -- Leo Wahyudi S.