Jakarta, Jan 14 (Antara) - The Jakarta bomb attacks by armed militants believed to be members of a group linked to ISIS, which killed seven on Thursday, have been widely condemned at home and abroad.
A series of attacks left four attackers and four civilians--including a foreigner--dead. The first and second explosions occurred at a police station and at the Starbucks coffee shop at around 10:40 a.m. local time in Jalan Thamrin where the Indonesian capital's main office district and business center are located.
Jakarta Police Spokesman Sr Comr Mohammad Iqbal confirmed later that there were 17 victims. four terrorists and four civilians were killed; three policemen were injured in a shootout in front of the coffee shop and two others were injured by bomb shrapnel; five civilians sustained serious injuries.
"Two terrorists carried out the suicide attacks (one on a police station and another one inside the Starbucks Coffee shop) and two were shot dead during efforts to arrest them," M. Iqbal said.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), House Speaker Ade Komaruddin, the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Zulkifli Hasan, the United States and Australia immediately expressed condemnation of the barbaric attacks.
"I have ordered the National Police Chief and the Security Minister to hunt down and arrest the perpetrators," President Jokowi who was on a working visit to Cirebon, West Java, said.
The head of state reiterated that the government and Indonesian citizens should not be defeated by terror.
"The state, the nation, and the people should not be defeated by terror. I hope the people would stay calm," the President emphasized, adding that he will cut short his visit to Cirebon.
In recent weeks, Indonesia has been on edge over the threat posed by militants, and the counter-terrorism police have launched a crackdown on people with suspected links to ISIS.
"We had previously received a threat from ISIS that Indonesia will be the spotlight," police Spokesman, Anton Charliyan informed reporters, but said the police were unaware of who would be responsible.
House Speaker Ade Komaruddin said the House of Representatives (DPR) strongly condemned the terrorist and barbaric strikes. "This is a barbaric act by terrorists, who want to disturb the nation," the DPR told the press.
He said the House had asked the state apparatuses, the military (TNI), the police (Polri) and the intelligence to hunt down the perpetrators immediately. "We hope they will be able to arrest them soon," said Ade Komaruddin.
On behalf of the House, Ade expressed deepest condolences to the victims' families.
"Frankly speaking, this is a failure by the intelligence agency. It should have been anticipated," he stated.
MPR Chairman Zulkifli Hasan also condemned the terror strike. "Polri and TNI should take speedy action to reveal their (terrorists') goals." He added that the suicide bomb attack was an inhuman act that had cost the lives of police personnel and civilians.
The United Development Party (PPP) also condemned the incident.
"It is a damned attack. There is no religion, which teaches such a despicable act. The perpetrators must be punished as heavily as possibly," PPP Chairman, Djan Faridz said in a press statement.
The Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), Anwar Abbas also strongly condemned the terror attacks. "MUI expresses its deepest condolences for the victims and hopes their families are given strength in the face of their heavy ordeals. MUI condemns any acts of violence committed by whomsoever because they are against religious teachings and hurt people," said Anwar.
The MUI urged the government to investigate and arrest soon those, who are responsible for the attacks. They should be punished, based on the existing law in Indonesia.
"MUI has also called on people to remain calm and leave the incident to the police," Anwar said.
The MUI urged all sides to not link the bombing with Islam or other religions because religions never condone terrorism.
In the meantime, the United States and Australia have also condemned the Jakarta bombings.
"The U.S. government strongly condemns the brutality and terror attacks against the police, citizens, and foreigners that occurred today," U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake stated in a written statement received by Antara on Thursday.
Blake offered condolences to the families of those who were killed, and hoped full recovery for those who injured.
"Together, we stand in solidarity with our partner, Indonesia. We also reaffirmed our will to continue cooperating with Indonesian government to destroy the threat of terrorism," Blake said.
The U.S. Embassy has issued two emergency notifications for Americans, who live in Indonesia.
The Australian government has also condemned the bomb blasts and shootout that took place in Jakarta on Thursday morning."I have talked to Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and offered any support, which might be needed by the Indonesian government in response of this attack," Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said in a written statement received by Antara on Thursday.
The Embassy of Australia in Jakarta has also asked a number of questions and urged the authorities to ensure that no Australian nationals are affected.
As the incident is still ongoing, it is too early to determine the scale of damage or casualties, the embassy stated.
The Australian Government even offered law enforcement and intelligence assistance to Indonesia following the deadly attacks in Jakarta on Thursday.
"I have contacted my counterpart in Indonesia, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs H. E. Luhut B. Panjaitan, to convey Australia's support," Australia's Attorney-General George Brandis QC said on Thursday.
He was quoted by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on its official website as saying that Australia and Indonesia had agreed to cooperate on counter terrorism operations.
"The offer follows our recent meeting at the Inaugural Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security during which we agreed on closer operational and technical counter terrorism cooperation," Brandis was quoted as saying by the embassy.
Thursday's attack was believed to have links with ISIS. "There is a strong suspicion that this is the work of an ISIS-linked group in Indonesia. All the executors are believed to be Indonesian citizens," National Police Spokesman Anton said. ***2***(A014/INE)
EDITED BY INE/H-YH(T.SYS/A/BESSR/A/Yosep) 14-01-2016 21:39:0 |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar