Jakarta, May 3, 2011 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has decided to step
up security measures following the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin
Laden by US commandos as it feared retaliation by extremists.
Upon hearing the news of Osama`s death, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reaffirmed Indonesia`s commitment to fighting terrorism jointly with the rest of the world.
The head of state had heard the news of Osama`s death as announced by US President Barack Obama in Washington DC, on Sunday (May 1),
"The President has heard the news of Osama`s death. We also listened to President Obama`s statement on the matter," Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said in Jakarta, Tuesday (May 3).
Indonesia, which has become a target of several terrorist attacks over the past 10 years, has an interest to free itself from the terrorist threats.
"It would be better if Indonesia can do it together with the rest of the world in freeing ourselves from terrorism," Julian said.
Indonesia`s determination to continue tracking down terrorists in the country was also voiced by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa when speaking to the press after visiting the 18th ASEAN Summit`s media center at the Jakarta Convention Center, on Tuesday (May 3).
"Whether Osama is dead or alive, our efforts to combat terrorism will continue," Marty said, saying that because terrorism is against human rights and a serious crime.
"We have to increase our alertness, intensify security and fight against crimes and terrorism," the minister said.
The US military operation had successfully killed Osama in Abbotabad, Pakistan, last weekend after a ten year manhunt.
Osama (54) was believed to be the mastermind of the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in New York when more than 3,000 people were killed after two planes crashed into the World Trade Center`s Twin Towers.
US President Barrack Obama confirmed the report of Osama`s death at a press conference on Sunday (May 1).
The news has immediately prompted security alerts in a number of countries, including Indonesia, to anticipate of vengeance by his followers of sympathizers.
"Certainly we together with the police will step up the alertness to prevent any eventuality," Indonesia`s Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said in Jakarta on Monday (May 2).
Bali, Indonesia`s most famous tourist resort which had been hit by the 2002 suicide bombings that killed 202 and the 2005 suicide attacks that claimed the lives of 20 people, is particularly given a priority in the security alert.
In Denpasar, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has instructed the tightening of security on the tourist island following the death of Osama bin Laden.
"This is to follow up the instruction of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to step up security alert in Indonesia," the governor said on Tuesday.
Security measures will be intensified not only at the airport and seaport, but also in places where foreign tourists, especially those from America, usually stay or gather, he said.
"Certainly we are particularly protecting foreign tourists, not only American tourists but all foreign tourists," he said.
The security of tourists was the responsibility of Bali`s authorities, the former Bali Police chief said, adding that all security personnel in Bali are now on high alert.
Major General Rachmat Budiyanto, the chief of Regional Military Command IX/Udayana, which military territories include Bali Island, West and East Nusa Tenggara Provinces, has instructed the tightening of security at buildings housing foreign offices on Bali Island.
"In Bali, there are tens of foreign consulates, and representative offices of international bodies, international hotels and restaurants, and many foreign tourists, as well. This is a good thing but at the same time it makes this region vulnerable, so we must give special attention to security at these places," he said in Denpasar Tuesday.
Budiyanto said terrorists who have now found a new form and mechanism, remain dangerous to the community.
"We must remain alert and anticipate any possibility. We will continue intensifying information and intelligence networks to prevent any undesired happening," he said.
Among foreign offices in Bali Province are consulates of the United States, Britain, France, Japan and Australia. The US consulate was a target of a terrorist bomb attack in October 2002.
A veteran politician and former legislator, Theo L Sambuaga has supported the measure to step up of the domestic security alert.
He said that the death of Osama bin Laden, must not cause the security authorities to relax the fight against terrorism.
"Don`t ease our efforts to fight and root out terrorism," Theo, deputy chairman of the Golkar Party`s executive board, said in Jakarta, Tuesday.
Most of terrorists in Indonesia have do direct ties with the Al-Qaeda`s leader.
"Based on the reality, some of the terrorist groups here are independent. May be (few of them) have direct relations (with Al-Qaeda)," he said.
He, however, reminded that terrorist networks could link to any where, therefore the fight against them must be intensified following the death of Osama.
Theo urged the nation to mobilize all potentials, including the press and ulemas (Muslim scholars) to counter terrorism. He also called on intensified international cooperation to eradicate terrorists.
"Don`t put it on ease, moreover that the terror quality has increased and the target areas have becoming more diversified," he said.
He saw the killing of Osama by US military was a significant achievement but did not mean that Al-Qaeda has been destroyed. "The networks have expanded everywhere," he added.
Said Agil Siradj, chairman of Indonesia`s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, has made a similar warning.
He said bin Laden`s death will help restore the image of Islam as a religion of peace, not of violence and radicalism.
"But I don`t think terrorism will stop with his death," Siradj said, adding that "As long as there is oppression and injustice against Muslims in Palestine it will continue." Unfortunately! ***3***
(f001/A/HAJM/22:05/B003).
(T.F001/A/F001/B003) 03-05-2011 22:32:33
Upon hearing the news of Osama`s death, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reaffirmed Indonesia`s commitment to fighting terrorism jointly with the rest of the world.
The head of state had heard the news of Osama`s death as announced by US President Barack Obama in Washington DC, on Sunday (May 1),
"The President has heard the news of Osama`s death. We also listened to President Obama`s statement on the matter," Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said in Jakarta, Tuesday (May 3).
Indonesia, which has become a target of several terrorist attacks over the past 10 years, has an interest to free itself from the terrorist threats.
"It would be better if Indonesia can do it together with the rest of the world in freeing ourselves from terrorism," Julian said.
Indonesia`s determination to continue tracking down terrorists in the country was also voiced by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa when speaking to the press after visiting the 18th ASEAN Summit`s media center at the Jakarta Convention Center, on Tuesday (May 3).
"Whether Osama is dead or alive, our efforts to combat terrorism will continue," Marty said, saying that because terrorism is against human rights and a serious crime.
"We have to increase our alertness, intensify security and fight against crimes and terrorism," the minister said.
The US military operation had successfully killed Osama in Abbotabad, Pakistan, last weekend after a ten year manhunt.
Osama (54) was believed to be the mastermind of the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in New York when more than 3,000 people were killed after two planes crashed into the World Trade Center`s Twin Towers.
US President Barrack Obama confirmed the report of Osama`s death at a press conference on Sunday (May 1).
The news has immediately prompted security alerts in a number of countries, including Indonesia, to anticipate of vengeance by his followers of sympathizers.
"Certainly we together with the police will step up the alertness to prevent any eventuality," Indonesia`s Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said in Jakarta on Monday (May 2).
Bali, Indonesia`s most famous tourist resort which had been hit by the 2002 suicide bombings that killed 202 and the 2005 suicide attacks that claimed the lives of 20 people, is particularly given a priority in the security alert.
In Denpasar, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has instructed the tightening of security on the tourist island following the death of Osama bin Laden.
"This is to follow up the instruction of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to step up security alert in Indonesia," the governor said on Tuesday.
Security measures will be intensified not only at the airport and seaport, but also in places where foreign tourists, especially those from America, usually stay or gather, he said.
"Certainly we are particularly protecting foreign tourists, not only American tourists but all foreign tourists," he said.
The security of tourists was the responsibility of Bali`s authorities, the former Bali Police chief said, adding that all security personnel in Bali are now on high alert.
Major General Rachmat Budiyanto, the chief of Regional Military Command IX/Udayana, which military territories include Bali Island, West and East Nusa Tenggara Provinces, has instructed the tightening of security at buildings housing foreign offices on Bali Island.
"In Bali, there are tens of foreign consulates, and representative offices of international bodies, international hotels and restaurants, and many foreign tourists, as well. This is a good thing but at the same time it makes this region vulnerable, so we must give special attention to security at these places," he said in Denpasar Tuesday.
Budiyanto said terrorists who have now found a new form and mechanism, remain dangerous to the community.
"We must remain alert and anticipate any possibility. We will continue intensifying information and intelligence networks to prevent any undesired happening," he said.
Among foreign offices in Bali Province are consulates of the United States, Britain, France, Japan and Australia. The US consulate was a target of a terrorist bomb attack in October 2002.
A veteran politician and former legislator, Theo L Sambuaga has supported the measure to step up of the domestic security alert.
He said that the death of Osama bin Laden, must not cause the security authorities to relax the fight against terrorism.
"Don`t ease our efforts to fight and root out terrorism," Theo, deputy chairman of the Golkar Party`s executive board, said in Jakarta, Tuesday.
Most of terrorists in Indonesia have do direct ties with the Al-Qaeda`s leader.
"Based on the reality, some of the terrorist groups here are independent. May be (few of them) have direct relations (with Al-Qaeda)," he said.
He, however, reminded that terrorist networks could link to any where, therefore the fight against them must be intensified following the death of Osama.
Theo urged the nation to mobilize all potentials, including the press and ulemas (Muslim scholars) to counter terrorism. He also called on intensified international cooperation to eradicate terrorists.
"Don`t put it on ease, moreover that the terror quality has increased and the target areas have becoming more diversified," he said.
He saw the killing of Osama by US military was a significant achievement but did not mean that Al-Qaeda has been destroyed. "The networks have expanded everywhere," he added.
Said Agil Siradj, chairman of Indonesia`s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, has made a similar warning.
He said bin Laden`s death will help restore the image of Islam as a religion of peace, not of violence and radicalism.
"But I don`t think terrorism will stop with his death," Siradj said, adding that "As long as there is oppression and injustice against Muslims in Palestine it will continue." Unfortunately! ***3***
(f001/A/HAJM/22:05/B003).
(T.F001/A/F001/B003) 03-05-2011 22:32:33
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