Security alert for churches and urban centers at Christmas time
Jakarta (AsiaNews) Security will be at its highest level in Indonesia during Christmas and New Year holiday celebrations, as news arrived of Islamic terrorist reorganization. Jakarta's Police Chief Inspector Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said terrorist attacks would pose the greatest threat to the capital during the upcoming holiday period.
The capital's police officials said that they plan to deploy around 12,200 officers (half of their total 23,000 forces) to guard the capital from Dec. 24 to Jan. 7.
City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said police would reinforce churches with private security guards to ensure trouble-free celebrations as part of their security program, operation Lilin Jaya 2003. "Large churches like the Catholic Cathedral in the heart of Jakarta, which host massive congregations, will top our priority list for extra security," he told reporters.
In Jakarta and the surrounding areas of Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi there are over 647 churches. In addition to churches, police will also increase security in shopping, recreational and entertainment centers, hotels, and all venues open to the general public.
Police authorities reported that the two most wanted bomb experts, Dr. Azahari and Noordin M. Top, both Malaysian citizens who have taken refuge in Indonesia, were still at large and might be preparing more devastating strikes.
Both are held to be key suspects in the bombing at the JW Marriott Hotel in South Jakarta, on Aug. 5.
Both Azahari and Noordin are believed to be senior commanders of the regional terrorist network Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), reportedly responsible for the Bali bombings last year that claimed 202 lives, most of whom were foreigners. Police also believe, based on captured JI suspects, that the terror network was behind a series of Christmas bombings in 2000 at several churches around the country.
To guarentee security police, traffic and fire officials have been give orders to stand at high alert. Police officials plan to crack down harder on traffic violations as well as those by political party supporters taking advantage of the large crowds to start campaigning early for general elections scheduled for 2004. (MH)
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