Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered police to reveal the perpetrators of an explosion at 'Vihara Ekayana' Buddhist shrine here on Sunday.
The President said on his Twitter account on Tuesday that the blast had disturbed the public. "We are disturbed with the explosion which took place at the Buddhist monastery at a time when the fasting month of Ramadan is to end."
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto has previously said that maintaining peace and security was not merely the responsibility of security officers but also of the people.
He said that the people needed to cooperate and remain on alert, taking active part in reporting any suspicious events to security apparatuses.
"The current 'Operation Ketupat' launched by police actually had the job not only to safeguard the Idul Fitri traffic flow but also worship places. However, terrorists always look for opportunities to take actions when security officers are careless," the coordinating minister.
He said that in order to prevent undesired events, the people's sensitiveness and alertness were needed. "The most important thing is that our sensitiveness in reporting all acts, events and suspected things to apparatuses," he said.
He explain that without cooperation among the people and apparatuses, efforts to eliminate terrorism would be hampered. In the meantime, when referring to the investigation into Vihara Ekayana Buddhist temple, the minister said that that police were still investigating it.
In the meantime, Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali stated on Monday that the bomb attack at Ekayana Monastery in Jakarta tested the religious harmony of Indonesia.
"The bomb explosion at the monastery was to test the religious harmony between Muslims and Buddhists. They should not be provoked," Ali said during his visit to Ekayana Monastery in Duri Kepa sub-district, West Jakarta, on Monday.
The source of the explosion was suspected to be a bomb, weighing three kilograms, placed inside a green plastic bag. "This is an uncivilized and condemnable incident. Moreover, it occurred during the Ramadan. It defiled the holy month of Ramadan," the minister said, noting that bombing incidents occurred in the country especially ahead of religious holidays.
The explosion hit the Ekayana monastery at Jalan Mangga II/8 in Duri Kepa on Sunday at around 7 pm, covering the entrance to the building in smoke.
The force of the blast was concentrated at the service entrance, where a suspicious bag made of green plastic, estimated to weigh around three kilograms, was found.
The recovery team discovered a cellular phone, iron shrapnel, cables, and a square battery at the scene. One person was reported injured by the explosion, suffering minor injuries to his hand. (*DWA)
