LAKSAMANA.Net, September 14, 2004 11:39 PM
Reward Offered For Bombing Suspects
Laksamana.Net - Police have offered a reward of Rp2 billion ($220,000) for information
leading to the arrest of two Malaysian fugitives, Azahari Husin and Noordin
Mohammad Top, suspected of involvement is a series of deadly bombings, including
last week's blast at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
"We have prepared a reward for members of the public who give accurate information:
Rp1 billion for Noordin, Rp1 billion for Azahari and Rp500 million for their associates,"
National Police criminal investigation chief Commissioner General Suyitno Landung
was quoted as saying Tuesday (14/6/04) by detikcom online news portal.
The two Malaysians are wanted in connection with the September 9 suicide car bomb
attack on the embassy that killed at least 10 people and wounded 182.
They are also suspected of key roles the August 2003 bombing at Jakarta's JW
Marriott Hotel that killed 12 people and the October 2002 nightclub bombings that
killed 202 people.
Authorities have blamed all three attacks on regional terrorism network Jemaah
Islamiyah, which has been listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations,
although the Indonesian government is yet to outlaw the group, apparently due to
fears of offending Muslim sensibilities.
Landung said the reward money would come from the investigation budget, which is
being funded by the government.
He also said police were preparing new wanted posters of the suspected bombers.
Azahari is one of Jemaah Islamiyah's expert bomb makers, while his assistant Top is
believed to have recruited suicide bombers to carry out the embassy bombing and
other planned attacks.
The deadly duo has escaped arrest at three times over the past year. Police are now
urging property owners to report suspicious tenants who leave premises before the
expiration of their leases.
Some analysts have questioned the wisdom of offering a reward. "It could be
counter-productive, because it could lead to a huge volume of calls which will swamp
police. They could spend all their time following useless leads," an unnamed
Australian diplomat was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.
Indonesia, the US and Australia have warned that the radicals responsible for
Thursday's embassy bombing could be planning a new attack, prompting tightened
security at embassies, major office blocks, apartment complexes, malls and other
potential targets.
President Megawati Sukarnoputri on Monday ordered Indonesia on full alert to prevent
further terror attacks ahead of the September 20 presidential election.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti said Tuesday the
financial cost of last week's bombing was still being calculated.
He said an estimate of the total cost of insurance claims and damages bills would be
known next week.
He also confirmed the government would provide police with the necessary funds for
the reward money offered for information leading to the arrest of the bombers.
Copyright © 2000 - 2004 Laksamana.net, All Rights Reserved.
|
