Police in Bali are treating an anonymous letter threatening a terrorist attack on the island very seriously following last week’s bombings by Islamist militants in Jakarta.
“The letter was sent by an anonymous individual to Buleleng district, and the police are still conducting an investigation, and trying to find out who sent the letter. But again, I urge people in Bali not to be afraid, but they should stay alert,” said Bali Police Chief Sugeng Priyanto. Authorities say they’ve increased security at shopping malls and other locations that draw crowds in Bali.
In 2002, the popular resort island was targeted by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), an Indonesia-based terrorist group with links to al-Qaida. The bombing at a club killed 202 people, mostly young foreigners. The bombing severely hurt Indonesia’s tourism industry, and began a decade of deadly plots in Indonesia carried out by Southeast Asian militants affiliated with al-Qaida.
Indonesia successfully combated the JI related terrorist threat through police action, intelligence operations and high profile criminal prosecutions. However, after last week’s attack in the centre of Jakarta that killed eight people, including four militants, Indonesian security forces are raising concerns that more and deadlier attacks could follow, carried out by groups inspired by Islamic State.
The Jakarta attack was the first of its kind in Southeast Asia to be attributed to Syria-based militant Islamists. Authorities say about 500 Indonesians have travelled to the Middle East to join the extremist group. About 100 are believed to have returned, although experts say only about 15 have combat experience.
