'Who were the terrorists targeting'

With two bomb attacks in the last 13 months, security in Jakarta has been beefed up particularly with the upcoming presidential election on Sept. 20. The bomb that killed at least nine people and injured more than 180 others has left many people in sorrow and fear. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on the issue.

Andi, 30, is a receptionist at a fitness center on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He lives with his parents in Depok, south of Jakarta:

The recent bomb blast, of course, has given disadvantages to many. Our country is still suffering because of last year's bombing on the JW Marriott Hotel, and now there was another one.

We don't know which group is targeted by the perpetrators.

If it was the Australian Embassy, the Australian people did not get hurt. A member at the fitness center, who works at the embassy, said that he only heard a loud explosion but did not feel anything. When he went out, he was shocked to see the damage.

I don't think the bomb was purely the terrorist's fault.. the security officers are guilty as well. If they don't give any chances for the terrorists, there won't be such calamity.

John Hendrawan, 22, is a student of School of Law at the Christian University of Indonesia. He lives in Mampang, South Jakarta:

I was shocked with such terror act and I really hate the perpetrators.

I don't understand why did they detonate the bomb outside the embassy if the target was really the Australian Embassy. Their terror act only hurt and killed innocent passersby.

Those terrorists are nasty.

-- The Jakarta Post