"Whudunnit?" is the question many are asking. The fingers are pointing at splinter groups of Jaamal Islamiya, the Islamic fools who are, in the words of Thomas Belfield, "young men with nothing better to do than having themselves brainwashed with the nihilism these acts represent and define. Convinced of something no right thinking person can even grasp."
There is little support for these nihilists; the only supporters they do have are skulking in a kampung, hidden from general view, so theories abound as to who benefits. As Aangirfan points out in an excellent in-depth background post, there are hidden agendas behind every terrorist group.
Why it was allowed to happen is perhaps a more pertinent question. The chief of BIN, the national intelligence agency, Syamsir Siregar, admitted the agency's negligence, telling Kompas (bhs. Indonesia) that BIN didn't pick up any clue that said that bomb blasts would be staged in Jakarta. He also added that this sort of national security breach can happen anywhere in the world even in superpower countries.
True: vide 9/11, Madrid, London, Lahore, Bombay ..........
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Update
Rob Baiton has SBY's speech translated into English, with Rob's comments adding an interesting insight. Worth a read.
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Business as usual
That seems to be the message from much of the media.
Deadly hotel bombings in Jakarta Friday had only a limited impact on Indonesian and Asian financial markets, suggesting continued long-term confidence in …
fr. Thomas Belfield's post
Leaders of the 'free world' have offered their obligatory sympathy and condolences.
British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said:
"I strongly condemn today's bombings in Jakarta. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. These attacks, remind us, yet again, of the threat people of all races and religion face from violent extremists. Indonesia is worlds largest Muslim democracy.
An attack on Indonesia is an attack on all decent people. The bombings are in marked contrast to the wishes of the millions of Indonesians who voted peacefully in last week's elections.
We will continue to work with the Government of Indonesia to stop terrorism. Today we stand in solidarity and sorrow."
I'm don't yet know what Son No.1 said, but as co-owner of a leading travel company who arranged holidays in Indonesia for 900 visitors last year - correct me if I'm wrong, son - he was interviewed for his, erm, views on the expected impact on Indonesia's tourism industry.My answer would have been that given that the majority of tourist arrivals here are from Asian countries - who, thanks to their physiognomy don't look like western imperialist agents of Satan, there may well be a downturn in his business, but not as much as from the world's economic downturn.
Judging by the British travel advisory, the level of foreign governments' travel advisories remains the same.
British Embassy staff have visited the scene and local hospitals to which casualties are being evacuated. Access to the area around the explosions is difficult while rescue operations and early investigations remain in progress. You are advised to stay away from the Mega Kuningan district and to avoid unnecessary journeys within central Jakarta for the time being.
The time being? How long is that? I need to know because Our Kid wants to go into town for a CD-rom and DVD shopping expedition.
