President's Aide Suspects Suicide Bomber Part of Old Anti-democracy Terror Network

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jaleswari Pramodhawardhani, deputy V of the Presidential Chief of Staff regretted the suicide bombing in Bandung's Astanaanyar Police Station this morning. The bomber was protesting against the Law on Criminal Code (KUHP) as expressed in a note pasted on his motorbike.

"The Criminal Code Law has gone through a DPR mechanism that is democratic and approved by the people. Any disapproval of this law should have been carried out through a democratic mechanism that has been provided," Jaleswari said in a statement, Wednesday.

According to the information he received, Jaleswari said, there are strong suspicions that the suicide bomber was a member of an old terrorist network that is anti-democracy and modern law such as the Criminal Code.

The Densus 88 Anti-Terror squad and state intelligence are investigating the network. Jaleswari ensured that those involved in suicide bombings like this will not escape prosecution. 

"The government urges the public not to panic and continue their normal activities," he said.

The suicide bombing took place at the entrance to Astanaanyar Police Station during a morning assembly at around 8:20 a.m. The male suicide bomber had brandished pointed a sharp weapon before detonating the bomb, killing himself.

Head of the Bandung City Resort Police, Sr. Comr. Aswin Sipayung, said that three police officers were injured and are now being treated at a hospital in Bandung City.

Jaleswari said that the government will take care of the medical expenses of the injured police officers and immediately repair the damaged police station.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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