Damar Harsanto, Jakarta – One of two packages exploded in the front yard of the residence of renowned human rights activist Munir on Jl. Cendana XII No. 12 in the Jaka Sampurna housing complex, South Bekasi.

City Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara confirmed that a package had exploded, but police were still confirming whether the blast came from a bomb or a firecracker.

"This is a kind of terror aiming to frighten people," Makbul said, declining to put the blame on any group, nor to speculate on the motives behind the blast.

The two packages were placed only 1.5 meters from the front gate of Munir's house by an unidentified man. One of the packages blew up at around 10am, but no injuries or damages were caused. Munir is in Bangkok, Thailand, attending an international conference on missing persons and violence.

When asked about the incident, he replied, "That's not a bomb. It must only be a powerful firecracker." Munir, who is known to be critical of all human rights abuses and violence in the country, has been the target of several attacks.

In May this year, about 100 members of a nationalist youth organization from Pemuda Panca Marga, a staunchly nationalistic group whose members are children of veteran soldiers, attacked the office of local human rights watchdog Commission for MissingPersons and Victims of Violence (Kontras). Munir is on of the founders of the organization. Five staff members were assaulted, while the office was vandalized.

A bomb was also placed at the Munir family's home in Malang, East Java, in 2001, but failed to detonate.