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Police have linked suicide bombing attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in Jakarta to the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network, confirming that the recent bombings bore similarities to previous attacks by the group. Hill & Associates sources point out that the July 17 hotel bombings indicate the daring, innovation and the ongoing capacity of the terrorists. The faction that is thought to have been responsible for the attacks has demonstrated its efficacy; and while still thought to be few in number, it is possible that the "success" of the recent bombings will enhance recruitment of like-minded radicals to the group. Clients are reminded to ensure that security measures at their premises are enhanced with strict access-control measures for both vehicles and pedestrians, and that comprehensive searching of baggage is carried out. Clients residing or visiting Indonesia are advised to remain vigilant, maintain a low profile, and avoid areas where expatriates or large numbers of people may gather.
Indonesian media have named a likely suspect in the July 17 suicide bombings of two luxury hotels in Jakarta, reporting that the man had school links to members of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terrorist network. The alleged suspect - a 34-year-old man named "Nurhasdi" from Central Java province - was said to have attended the Ngruki Islamic school in the provincial city of Solo, run by radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, who is widely regarded as JI's spiritual leader in the 1990s.
Police had over the weekend linked the attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels to the JI network, confirming that they bore similarities to previous bombings by the group. National police spokesman Nanan Soekarna told reporters on Sunday (Jul 19) that "the method, the equipment used, is the same as both bombs in Bali and the one found in Cilacap". He was referring to two attacks on the resort island in 2002 and 2005, and to a cache of bomb-making material discovered in the Central Java district during a police raid on July 14, just three days prior to last week's hotel attacks.
Police anti-terrorist unit Detachment 88 had recently targeted terrorist suspects in Central Java linked to fugitive Malaysian terrorist Noordin M Top. Over the past few weeks, Indonesian security agencies had traced and detained a number of people in areas believed to be the hideouts of Top and his followers, such as in Cilacap, and in Lampung and Malang in East Java. One of the suspects captured was Syaefudin Zuhri who was arrested in Cilacap in June 2009. Police raids have also focused on madrassas or pesantren (religious schools). One such school is the Pondok Pesantren Al-Muaddib in Mulele village in Cilacap, which was led by Bahrudin Latif, the subject of the July 14 police raid.
Police Say Bombs Assembled Within Hotel
Meanwhile, police have said that the perpetrators of the July 17 attack had checked in to the JW Marriott as paying guests on July 15 and had assembled the bombs in their room. A third bomb was found in a laptop computer bag in room 1808 and subsequently defused on July 17.
A police team at the Ritz Carlton had recovered a laptop computer on Saturday (Jul 18), which they believed to have belonged to one of the suicide bombers. It reportedly contained information and codes, believed to have been used by the bombers to communicate with each other.
Hill & Associates' Assessment
The suicide attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels had ended a four-year lull in such acts of violence, bearing the hallmarks of JI - in particular of a breakaway faction led by Top. Hill & Associates sources reiterate that the attacks were well-planned and executed by a group whose members are not afraid to die in the course of their activities. At least one of the bombers was said to have been intercepted by JW Marriott hotel security as he appeared to be suspicious; he had worn a black windbreaker and baseball cap, and had been carrying a backpack on his chest and was pulling a suitcase toward the hotel lounge moments before the explosion there.
Sources also point out that this second strike on the JW Marriott - the first had occurred in August 2003 - indicates the daring, innovation and the ongoing capacity of JI terrorists. The risk inherent in assembling bombs inside a hotel room denotes a daring level of assurance and confidence. To be sure, the JI faction that is thought to have been responsible for the attacks has clearly demonstrated its efficacy; and while still thought to be few in number, it is possible that the "success" of the bombings will enhance recruitment of like-minded radicals to the group.
Sources further note that to stay at a luxury five-star hotel requires funding, and that a cash deposit was actually paid. The official Antara news agency has since reported that the government is intensifying efforts to find Top and trace the network's finances to try to uncover any links to the hotel attacks.
Modus Operandi Still Under Investigation
Sources indicate that all terrorist groups typically evolve into different formats as they develop and mature. They generally also become more security conscious and work in smaller cells that are more difficult to penetrate. Those members involved in operations also tend to be held in isolation before an attack for reasons of security of information; this would appear to be modus operandi of JI, as well as the Basques, the Irish Republican Army, and other groups.
As to the actual modus operandi of the July 17 hotel attacks, Indonesian police are releasing data as it becomes available. Sources note that police have at their disposal more advanced facilities for forensic investigation than they did at the time of the 2002 Bali bombings. And while police spokesman Soekarna did not provide further details as to the identity of the alleged suspect identified by local media today - only saying that his name began with the letter "N" - authorities are no doubt investigating his background.
Possible Dates Of Heightened Risk This Month, October
Meanwhile, sources warn that further attacks are possible. High-ranking government officials, such as the former minister and current head of the National Resilience Agency, have indicated that terrorism was a major risk to the country's recently concluded legislative and presidential elections. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's comments to reporters on the day of the hotel attacks would seem to echo those fears. If this is the case, then dates of possible heightened risk might include the announcement of the official results of the presidential election (likely to be on July 27), as well as the inauguration of the president (expected to be on October 8).
Hill & Associates' Advice To Clients
Clients are reminded to ensure that security measures at their premises are enhanced with strict access-control measures for both vehicles and pedestrians, and that comprehensive searching of baggage is carried out. Clients should also ensure that crisis plans are updated, and that warden systems continue to be updated and exercised.
Clients residing or visiting Indonesia are advised to remain vigilant and alert, maintain a low profile, and avoid areas where expatriates or large numbers of people may gather, such as at shopping malls and popular restaurants. A number of foreign embassies have updated their travel advisories and recommended only essential travel to Indonesia at this time.
Clients are advised to evaluate the security of their preferred hotels prior to incoming visits. Visitors to other parts of Indonesia should also exercise caution and ensure that their selection of accommodation is made with security precautions in mind. Visitors to Bali should aim to avoid areas popular with western tourists, in particular prominent night club and bar areas.
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