The Jakarta Post, October 30, 2004
Police renew warning of bomb attacks
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Following warnings of terrorist attacks during the ongoing fasting month, the police
have beefed up security around foreign embassies in Jakarta, foreign representative
offices, western facilities, and tourist sites across the country.
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said there was still a great possibility that
Malaysian fugitives Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Moh Top, as well as their
accomplices, would launch attacks as they were still in possession of explosives.
"The explosion at a rented house in Cicurug village recently told us that an expert had
assembled the bomb. We believe that it was the work of Azahari and Noordin," said
Da'i.
Azahari and Noordin are the alleged masterminds of the 2002 Bali bombings that
killed 202 people, the 2003 JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta attack that claimed 12 lives and
last month's deadly suicide bombing outside the Australian Embassy, which left 11
people dead.
The two Malaysians have reportedly recruited several new suicide bombers.
Da'i said the live bomb circuits and two backpacks of explosives found in Cicurug,
Sukabumi were sophisticated and ready to use.
He said the four men who left the rented house after the explosion were still carrying a
significant amount of explosives with them.
"Judging from the explosives in their possession and the possibility that several more
suicide bombers are on the run, we believe they have the capability to launch more
attacks in the near future," said Da'i.
He added that police had deployed more personnel to intensify security measures in
embassies, malls and clubs as well as foreign businesses across the country.
Police will deploy around 90,000 personnel seven days before and after Idul Fitri,
which will fall on Nov. 15. Police in Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta,
East Java, and Lampung will deploy two thirds of their personnel to maintain security
during Idul Fitri.
The United States has advised its citizens in Indonesia to take additional security
precautions against possible terrorist attacks ahead of the holiday, which marks the
end to the fasting month.
The U.S. State Department said the embassy in Jakarta continued to receive reports
that terrorist organizations could attempt to carry out attacks against identifiably U.S.
or other Western facilities or businesses in Indonesia.
In its message, the embassy reminded U.S. nationals in Indonesia "to observe vigilant
personal security precautions and to remain aware of the continued potential for
terrorist attacks against Americans or American interests in Indonesia and
worldwide".
Da'i said he had ordered all personnel down to the subdistrict level to be more active
in searching for the fugitive bombers, and to conduct regular checks on rented houses
in their area.
"I acknowledge many officers in the region just stay in the office and only wait for
information from people. This attitude has contributed to our failure to arrest the
suspects in Cicurug. Had they be more active, we could have nabbed them," he said.
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