World Lauds Indonesia for Swift Handling of Terror Attack

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The terror attack in the heart of Jakarta on January 14, 2016 shocked Indonesia as well as many other countries which later offered support and expressed sympathy with the Indonesian government and people.

Two civilians, including a Canadian, and five attackers, all Indonesians, were killed in the attack that also left 15 civilians and five police officers injured.

The wounded civilians included four foreigners, one each from the Netherlands, Germany, Algeria and Austria.

Chief of Jakartas Metro Jaya Police Inspector General Tito Karnavian confirmed that the perpetrators of the Jakarta terror attack have been identified.

The attackers belonged to an ISIS-linked group led by Bahrunnaim, an Indonesian national, an aspirant for the leadership of the ISIS group in Southeast Asia, he stated.

Security guards of the Sarinah Department Store, who witnessed the attack, recalled that at 10:30 a.m. local time, six people carrying backpacks tried to enter the Sarinah building.

Upon searching their bags, the security guards suspected that they were carrying bombs, and hence, took them to a police post located near Sarinah.

Three of them, however, blew themselves up at the police post, while three others escaped and ran towards a nearby Starbucks coffee shop.

One of the suicide bombers blew himself up in front of the Starbucks cafe and the rest pointed their guns at the people in the coffee shop.

Police personnel later arrived and a shootout started in front of the Starbucks cafe at MH Thamrin Boulevard, Central Jakarta.

At 11:40 a.m. local time, the shootout ended, and the police officers combed the Menara Cakrawala (Skyline building), where Starbucks is located, to nab the attackers trying to flee. At 11:52 a.m. local time, gunshots were heard from the building.

Within three hours, everything was brought under control, and the security authorities were able to prevent other eventualities.

Several countries have lauded the Indonesian security authorities swift handling of the attack, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi.

"I just informed the president about some issues, including the international communitys response to the attack that occurred in Jakarta yesterday. In general, I can say that the international communitys response is very positive," the minister stated after meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), on Jan. 15.

Several countries have condemned the attack, have expressed sympathy with the Indonesian government, and have praised the swift response of the Indonesian security authorities in handling the attack, she stated.

They also offered support to Indonesia whenever the need arises. The minister, however, affirmed that Indonesia has been able to handle it independently so far.

"I reported to the president that I have received several calls in the wake of the attack from other countries foreign ministers who were keen to offer cooperation and wanted to express their condolences to the Indonesian people," she informed the press.

Following the attack, President Jokowi has also received calls from numerous world leaders, including from Malaysia, from the Australian prime minister, the Saudi King and the German counselor.

"In the latest such call, I communicated with the Canadian prime minister, and yesterday with a leader of Singapore," the minister revealed.

Among those who lauded Indonesia were members of the UN Security Council which hailed the swift response and courage demonstrated by the Indonesian security forces in responding to the attack.

In its statement, the council condemned in the strongest possible terms the attack and expressed deep sympathy with and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Indonesia.

Several countries issued statements of condemnation of the attack, and condoled the deaths. These included Japan, Australia, the United States, Iran, Canada, the UK, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.

"Canada will continue to stand by Indonesia and co-operate in the fight against extremism. We offer our full support to the Indonesian authorities during this challenging time," Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said in a statement quoted by CBC News.

The identity of the Canadian killed in the attack was unknown, but Dion said the government was working with the Indonesian authorities to confirm the details.

CBC News also reported that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered support to Indonesia.

"Obviously our hearts, of Canada and Canadians, go out to the people of Indonesia and all the families and victims of these terrible attacks and were, of course, going to be supporting the Indonesian government in anything it needs from Canada through this difficult time," Trudeau added during a news conference.

In the meantime, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement posted on the British governments website: "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The UK utterly condemns these senseless acts of violence."

"We will continue to provide support and assistance to the Government of Indonesia as they work to defeat those who plan and perpetrate these acts of terror," he added.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General, Iyad Ameen Madani, sent his heartfelt condolence to the families of the victims of the attack and his wishes for the fast recovery of the injured, the OIC said in a statement posted on its official website.

Madani said he condemned in the strongest terms the perpetration of this heinous act committed against the peaceful community of Jakarta.

He expressed his confidence in the Indonesian governments efforts in bringing to justice the people behind the tragedy.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a message to Indonesian President Joko Widodo. In line with the same, Foreign Minister Kishida Fumio also offered sympathy and support to his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi.

"I was shocked and angry after hearing about the terror attack in Jakarta today. We cannot tolerate this kind of act, for whatever reason. We should strongly condemn it," Fumio noted in a written statement received by ANTARA News.

Currently, the situation in Jakarta has turned around and is under control, according to Johan Budi, a presidential spokesman.

He regretted the fact that misinformation was spread about bombs also exploding in several other parts of Jakarta.

Budi stated that the security authorities have intensified early detection measures. He urged the public to not be easily provoked by terror incidents.

President Jokowi has ordered a thorough investigation into the attack, and urged everyone not to engage in speculation before the investigation is completed, according to the spokesman.

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahja Purnama (Ahok) remarked that the condition in Jakarta is safe.

"Jakarta is safe, do not worry. Yes, the security authorities have tackled it. I also think that this time, there will be no more tolerance for such matters," Ahok emphasized.

ANTARA