Police call for foreign assistance in book bomb investigations

Amidst mounting public pressure to unravel a recent spate of mail bombs in the capital, the National Police says its investigations have been slow because the force lacks equipment and is struggling to keep up with technological advancements.

The police force had been struggling to catch up with advancements in technology used by terrorist groups to make explosive devices and create public unrest, National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi said Tuesday.

“We have some technical issues. [Terrorists] have continued to improve their modus operandi. We don’t have something they already have.

“We have to catch up. To do so, we need time and are relying on foreign aid,” Ito said on the sidelines of the Fourth Bali Regional Ministerial Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali. He added that the aid could be in form of equipment or training.

Several bombs hidden in hardcover books were sent to several prominent figures in Jakarta earlier this month, including liberal Muslim activist Ulil Abshar Abdhalla and National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Gories Mere.

The conference, dubbed the Bali Process, will be held at a hotel in Nusa Dua, Bali, from March 29 to March 30, and is aimed to address the long-standing people smuggling issues affecting Asia Pacific countries.

Ito said the continuing illegal immigrant problems had also increased the threat of terrorism in Indonesia.

“Indonesia has been used as a transit country by people from ‘problematic’ countries — such as Afghanistran, Iraq and Sri Lanka — attempting to reach Australia to seek refugee status and asylum,” he said.

“These countries are notorious for the wars and bombings. They might use these skills in Indonesia if they fail to proceed to Australia, and earn a living and a have family in Indonesia,” Ito said.