Matthew Moore, Jakarta – Indonesia's national police headquarters was rocked by a bomb blast early yesterday.
While the explosion injured no one and caused only minor damage, it sent shockwaves through the country's campaign to convince the world that it has implemented effective security measures in the wake of the Bali bombings.
Indonesian police chief General Da'I Bachtiar promised to step up security in public areas across Jakarta as police were embarrassed at the ease with which bombers exploded a device so close to their offices.
The bomb was detonated on the ground floor terrace of a two-storey function room 10 metres inside the perimeter fence that surrounds the headquarters. The bomb, which police say was detonated by a timer, blew a small hole in the concrete terrace, destroyed the terrace ceiling and smashed windows up to 30 metres away.
Chief of Detectives Erwin Mappaseng said the device was a pipe bomb wrapped in concrete, using a common explosive known as "black powder", which was also used in an explosion in northern Sulawesi in October that was linked to Bali blasts.
Meanwhile, police have arrested a suspected Islamic terrorist whom Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong accused of planning to attack Singapore's Changi Airport.
General Mappaseng said police on Sunday night arrested Mas Selamat Kastari who, he said, was the head of Singapore's branch of outlawed Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah.
Mr Kastari was arrested on Batam Island just a short boat ride from Singapore where he has been wanted since early last year for plans to hijack British and US jets and crash them into Changi Airport.
Yesterday's blast in Jakarta might easily have injured people had a police officer not noticed the suspicious black plastic bag containing the bomb at 6.30am. He called the bomb squad, which had not arrived by the time it exploded about 7.15am.
General Bachtiar described it as "a warning to us; we must not drop our guard". He addressed parliament on the issue, explaining that parts of the headquarters had tight security while other parts were for public use and were not normally closely guarded. Police say they have no suspects so far.
Police spokesman General Edward Aritonang was asked if the bombing might be connected with the detention of radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, whom police have recently accused of involvement in the Bali blasts . "All possibilities are being taken into consideration," he said.
Security in Jakarta has been transformed since the Bali bombings, with officials at many public buildings searching cars and bags.
Yesterday's blast is likely to prompt a renewed effort to ensure public areas are safe. But the detonation of the bomb shows how difficult that can be.
Police were questioning about six people as General Bachtiar vowed to find out who was responsible. "This is a challenge for the police to immediately solve the case," he said. "Who did it, what's the motive to put a bomb in a police office?"