ADPARA>Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Widodo A.S. says nine people have been killed and at least 42 injured in two powerful blasts that hit two luxury hotels in the Mega Kuningan business district in downtown Jakarta. Widodo told reporters six of the victims were killed at the JW Marriott Hotel, two others at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and one in hospital.
He also said at least 42 injured victims, including 13 foreigners, were being treated at four hospitals in Jakarta. Police have yet to say whether the explosions were bombings. The JW Marriott was previously attacked in 2003, in which 12 people died. Southeast Asian terror network Jamaah Islamiyah was blamed for that blast.
Your comments:
Security at the entry gates of all major Jakarta hotels, particularly those belonging to Western chains, is pretty good.
So these blasts may suggest involvement of "smooth operators" who came as guests, bringing bomb components/chemicals in separate bags and assembled the bombs in the hotel rooms.
The other possibility is infiltration by employees, top to bottom ,or a bought-out guard. All are tough to detect and neutralize.
K.B. Kale
Pune, India
I would like to express my profound sympathy and condolences for the innocent victims of the bomb blasts taking place at these two hotels. May this tragedy not happen again, heaven forbid.
Rudyanto
Denpasar
This is a repeat of the tragic bombing of the JW Marriott Hotel back in 2003. So many innocent lives were lost then and now.
The perpetrators are definitely inhuman and evil.
They care nothing about the loss of lives and the suffering of those who are left behind.
These culprits when apprehended must be given the harshest punishment the law provides. The punishment must be carried out without delay, so others of the same ilk will think twice before committing similar atrocities.
We can do very little to prevent animals such these beastly criminals from trying to create death and mayhem, but the authorities, in particular the police and security forces, could greatly improve their vigilance and professionalism.
It is very sad and heart-wrenching when innocent lives are lost in an act of evil and criminal intent. The country and all of the people of Indonesia once again must face the condemnation of the civil society for being a "nest of terrorists".
Foreign companies will once again hesitate to invest in Indonesia for fear of the safety of their staff and families.
Tourists, who only in the last few years started to visit this beautiful country, will become fearful of coming to our country.
In the midst of the global economic downturn - when the Indonesian government, businesses and people have collectively suffered from the effects of this malaise - a group of criminals who must hate their own country and people detonated bombs to kill and maim innocent people.
In effect, their dastardly and cowardly action has condemned the whole nation of Indonesia to further suffering and humiliation.
I hope and pray the Indonesian government through the police and associated agencies will soon arrest and prosecute these animals and their controlling masters.
Paul E. Rantau
Jakarta
Yet another bombing in Jakarta! Where were the intelligence agencies and the police? Did they feel so smug after the country managed to successfully and peacefully stage both the parliamentary and presidential elections that they slacked off in their primary duty, i.e. ensuring the safety of the nation and the people?
This terrible incident is certainly a big step backward for Indonesia and it shows once again we can't become complacent, but must remain vigilant at all times.
V.T. Hopkins
Jakarta
I wonder why this bloody heartbreaking accident happened again?
Nana Podungee
Jakarta
Big disappointment that such a lovely country has still people filled with hatred, not love.
Iwan B.
