TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The January 14 bomb attack on Jalan Thamrin in Central Jakarta confirmed National Police Chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti's belief that the police are now the terrorists' prime target. One police officer was wounded in the explosion and four others suffered serious injuries from gunshot wounds.
One of the officers, First Adj. Insp. Budiono, sustained three close-range gunshot wounds. He narrowly escaped death after lying unconscious for three days at the hospital. "That was incredible. His heart had even stopped," Badrodin said.
Last Tuesday, Badrodin sat down for an interview with Tempo at the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta. Sipping a cup of tea, Badrodin spoke about the Thamrin tragedy, the ISIS networks as well as home-grown terrorists.
Has there been any progress in the investigation of the Thamrin bombing?
All the perpetrators were killed in the incident. This made it difficult for the investigation at first. However, evidence from the crime scene, the perpetrators' families and other information indicated there were six people involved, including the one who made the bomb casing that went off at the police post. (The six were already named suspects by the police-Ed.)
What was the bomb casing made of?
It was made from an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) tank. We still have the remnants and we will look into how it was assembled. It was a low-grade explosive bomb.
How did the perpetrators arrive at the location?
We've traced (their movements) from the place where they stayed over in Meruya, West Jakarta. Possibly by taxi. No one can confirm this.
You mentioned funds for the Thamrin terror act.
According to the latest information, the operational funds were just Rp900,000. But we don't have the details yet.
Were the funds only that much?
(laughing) If that was the amount given, that's what they used. If I'm not mistaken, it came from Indramayu or Cirebon.
So far, six suspects have been identified in the case?
We suspect there are more, but they remain unidentified.
What is the important lesson learned from the Thamrin bombing?
That there has been a shift in terror targets. During the era of Jamaah Islamiyah, the main target was foreigners. Take Bali I, II and the Australian Embassy bombings, for example. Now they have new targets and the police may be one of them. (*)
Read the full interview in this week’s edition of Tempo English Magazine
