Leaders decry Jakarta attacks
At least 7 dead in gun, suicide bombing blitz
Regional and world powers condemned the terrorist attacks claimed by the Islamic State militant group in Indonesia’s capital yesterday, with neighbouring countries ramping up security.
Attackers set off suicide bombs and exchanged gunfire outside a Starbucks cafe in Indonesia’s capital in a brazen assault that police said “imitated” the recent Paris attacks.
All five attackers and a Canadian and an Indonesian died in the mid-morning explosions and gunfire that were watched by office workers from high-rise buildings on Thamarin Street in Jakarta. Another 23 people were injured.
The attackers carried handguns, grenades and homemade bombs.
The IS last night claimed responsibility for the attacks, which it said were carried out by “soldiers of the caliphate”. It was reported that in a statement the IS said the targets were “citizens of the crusader coalition” against it and had used explosive devices detonated by delay mechanisms timed to coincide with an assault by four armed militants.
Jakarta police chief Maj Gen Tito Karnavian had earlier said the attackers were part of a group led by Bahrum Naim, an Indonesian militant who is now in Syria.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on national TV called on people to remain calm.
“Our nation and our people should not be afraid, we will not be defeated by these acts of terror,” he said, in comments broadcast by MetroTV. “We also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people.”
Regional authorities were quick to condemn the attacks and rallied to enforce security measures yesterday.
Malaysia’s national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said police raised the security alert to the highest level following the deadly attack.
He said security was increased at public places such as shopping malls and tourists spots, “while extra precautionary actions will be implemented in border areas to prevent possible infiltration by terrorist elements”.
Malaysians suspected to have links to terrorist activities, or thought to be Islamist sympathisers, are being closely monitored, police said.
Malaysian authorities have detained more than 150 suspects linked to the IS over the past two years, including some who were allegedly plotting attacks in strategic areas of Kuala Lumpur. Last September, the US embassy warned of a potential terrorist threat at a popular hawker street and surrounding areas in the city.
Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Twitter he was “deeply shocked and saddened by the bomb attacks in Jakarta”.
“Malaysia stands ready to help in any way. Thoughts and prayers are with the Indonesian people.”
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack on its neighbour.
“The MFA is deeply shocked to learn of the multiple explosions in Jakarta targeted at innocent civilians,” the ministry said in a statement. “We condemn these attacks and express our condolences to the families of the victims.”
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pledged “full support” to Indonesia in its efforts to find and punish the culprits.
“Shocked and dismayed by news of the bomb attacks in Jakarta today,” Mr Lee wrote on Facebook. “My thoughts are with the families of the victims and the Indonesian people.”
The city-state boosted its security in the wake of the Jakarta attacks, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean.
In the Philippines, the military went on “heightened alert” following the attacks, although it said no specific terrorist threats had been monitored.
Police also beefed up security in train stations, bus terminals, airports and shopping malls and asked for public vigilance.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said: “We stand by in solidarity with our Indonesian brothers and sisters in this time of tragedy.”
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said the attack should “strengthen our resolve to work effectively together to combat the scourge of terrorism”.
US Secretary of State John Kerry echoed him. “These acts of terror are not going to intimidate nation-states from protecting their citizens ... There is nothing in any act of terror that offers anything but death and destruction.” The IS “have proven that they offer nothing, no alternative but their own destruction,” he said. “If that’s the choice they leave us, we’re going to do what’s necessary.”