Indonesia steps up security against terrorist attacks

[News_Editor]

Indonesia steps up security against terrorist attacks

2011-05-03 07:53:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- The government of Indonesia on Monday announced it would be increasing its security measures as the death of al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden could lead to extremist groups reacting violently.

Indonesia's coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs Djoko Suyanto told the Jakarta Globe that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono instructed everyone to increase alertness, as the government was anticipating several possibilities because "anything could happen."

In addition to police stepping up its security, Suyanto noted that neighborhood security should also be involved, as security is not only the police's and military's responsibility. Military Chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, meanwhile, called on the public to report anything suspicious.

National Police Deputy Chief Commander General Nanan Sukarna and the head of the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) Ansyaad Mbai noted that authorities were anticipating the possibility of an attack on anything, domestic and foreign, that poses an obstacle to extremist groups from establishing an Islamic state or imposing Shariah law.

The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia has requested additional security as well.

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