Police Issues 3 Instructions post Church Suicide Bombing in Makassar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo instructed his members to beef up security after the suicide bombing incident at Makassar Cathedral Church, South Sulawesi.

Inspector General Argo Yuwono, the Head of the Police Public Relations Division, said that the instructions had been released via an internal telegram letter (TR). “The TR is dated March 28, 2021. There are three points of instructions of the Police Chief,” Argo confirmed to Tempo on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

The three instructions are open and closed security at places of worship and other places and coordination with other stakeholders such as the Indonesian Military (TNI), local governments, or Public Order Agency (Satpol PP). The last instruction is to encourage public participation,” said Argo.

The bombing took place at the gate of the Cathedral Church located on Jalan Kajaolalido, MH Thamrin, Makassar City, on Sunday morning, March 28, 2021. The explosion injured 20 security personnel and churchgoers who are still undergoing medical treatment in a number of hospitals.

Earlier reported, the Indonesian police revealed that the married couple who committed the suicide bombing is linked to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) militant group. Listyo Sigit said that the couple identified as L and YSF were wed by a prominent member of JAD.

Read: Couple Who Attacked Makassar Cathedral Wed by JAD Member, Police Say

ANDITA RAHMA