Terror threat warning

AUSTRALIAN consular officials in Surabaya have cancelled plans to attend an event yesterday at a local university and are limiting their movements amid concerns of a terrorist attack.

The extraordinary move comes three months after two families launched suicide attacks on three Surabaya churches and police headquarters, in which their own small children, some wearing bombs, were killed.

The Australian Government yesterday issued new advice via its Smartraveller alert system, saying that its consular officials in Surabaya would not attend an event due to “heightened security concerns”.

“Australian officials in Surabaya are currently adopting enhanced security measures and limiting their movements,” the new advice says.

“We continue to receive information indicating terrorists may be planning attacks in Indonesia. Due to heightened security concerns, staff at the Australian Consulate-General in Surabaya will not be attending an event at the Airlangga University in Surabaya on August 23.”

It is understood the event was to be a showcase of information for students wanting to study in Australia.

The new consulate was officially opened three weeks ago by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

During the May 13 church attacks a family — the parents and their four children aged nine to 18 years — launched almost simultaneous suicide attacks on three Surabaya churches during Sunday services. The whole family died.

The next morning another family — including their three children aged eight to 16 — launched another suicide attack on Surabaya police headquarters.

Counter-terrorism police have since arrested almost 300 militants and a new anti-terrorism law has been passed.