Observer Says Terror Group JAD Eyes Election

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An explosion occurred near the live screening location of the second presidential debate on Sunday, February 17, at 08:00 p.m., at the Senayan East Parking lot, Central Jakarta, 650 meters away from the debate venue at the Sultan Hotel.

According to terrorist observer Al Chaidar, the explosion was set off as a surprise for the government and installed by an active member of terror network Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). 

“They (JAD) are indeed eyeing the establishment of the election,” said Al Chaidar when reached on Monday, February 18. 

Al Chaidar believed the incident was committed by the JAD network, allowing for its relatively small impact. He said the terror group only sought to stir up public anxiety ahead of the election. 

He further opined that the JAD network was targeting the debate venue as they were against the democracy system. “They are sick of the democracy system and the presidential election,” Al Chaidar added. 

Read: Explosion Near Presidential Debate Venue Caused by Firecrackers

Al Chaidar said that he was still keeping an eye on the discussions in a group comprising JAD supporters. “[Someone] has confirmed it [the explosion] was done by them [JAD members],” he added. “I am waiting for their discussions to confirm that it was their act.”

He said terror threats would potentially continue until the April 17 election, and that the group had plotted another act of terror for February 21, 2019. “They keep on talking about it in the group,” he said.

The Sunday explosion, which took place some 10 minutes after the presidential debate kicked off and left three-meter-tall white smoke, claimed no life but slightly injured at least seven people in their hearing—one of them is still hospitalized.

IMAM HAMDI