J

an. 11, p. 2

The National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman said on Thursday that the agency was on alert and would continue to monitor the spread of the new strain of avian flu, identified as H5N1 clade 2.3.2, which was reportedly been behind the deaths of tens of thousands of ducks across the nation.

“My agency has been closely watching this phenomenon,” Marciano told reporters at the State Palace on Thursday. “We have to stay alert, as the global development of biological weapons is very fast.”

“In the future, this kind of biological attack will be frequently used in wars,” Marciano said, although he was quick to quell speculation that the new strain was a biological attack.

“We are closely monitoring developments. We can’t jump to conclusions without strong evidence,” Marciano added. “We are asking relevant agencies to look into the new strain of the virus closely and we will support their efforts”.

Your comments:

Is this Mr. Norman serious? He’s been reading too many comic books when he should have been studying.

Ian Shaw

Why is it that the outbreak occurred at almost the same time?

Why did the outbreak only occur in certain areas in Indonesia such as East Java, Central Java and Sumatra?

Why is it that the outbreak of bird flu affected particular regions of the world, especially in the countries that lie between China and Indonesia?

Redo Arta

The review of antiterrorist “aid” is currently underway in Congress. Indonesia got US$13 billion in 2012 direct “antiterrorist aid” that directly funded Densus 88. Join the dots. It is not hard.

I think we will see a 75 percent reduction within weeks and an end to a lot of the radical violence.

Duncan

You really wonder how it is possible that Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman has managed to become BIN chief. It tells us a lot about “academic achievement” in Indonesia.

Jorith Arbier

It is ludicrous. And this is someone from intelligence? More harm is done to Indonesia by its President and his government, than any terror organization could ever dream of. Corruption is this countries time bomb.

Mike

It is another conspiracy theory. Are people that gullible?

Sheldon Archer

What a silly headline, the original strain has mutated.

Joe H