Bali Coastline Guarded

Extensive operation to capture one of the top terrorist operative Mas Slamet Kastari has now expanded to Banyuwangi and Bali, especially the ferry port of Ketapang. Hundred copies of the previously escaped Singapore’s top security jail were placed in strategic locations yesterday - Saturday July 5th. The operation is actually an expansion of the previous operation when anti-terror squad busted nine terrorist operative along with ready-to-install explosives.

The pictures show face of Kastari when he was prisoned in Singapore. Additionally thirteen sketches of different possible camouflages of the suspected Singapore leader of Jamaah Islamiyah were also included, from the face without hair, with mustache, as well as with one eye covered like the ancient Norway pirates. “Upon instruction of the State Police Commander, the pictures have to be handed to every passengers of the inter-island ferry”, said the Head of Security Squad of Ketapang Ferry Port, Police Commissioner Pariyadi Sayat.

A number of large size of Kastari’s posters were glued to the wall of the waiting area of the port whilst more were handed to each passenger. The operation was intended to detect his possible movement to Bali. Thorough briefing has been given to all police officers on duty. “This guy has curly hair, oval shape, and brown skin. Slightly un-balanced legs visible when he walks, and has Malay accent. Everybody were required to keep their eyes open to any figures close to the such description. We have to anticipate possibility that he may move to Bali”, said Commissioner Pariyadi. The ticket box area was the place with highest number of posters as all passengers should by a ticket anyway.

All cars and passengers were also directed to multi-layered checking procedure before allowed to embark. With mirror detectors on hand, polices were thoroughly check vehicles especially small passenger carriers and small trucks. The same measure of security was also implemented at the LCT dock where extra-large trucks embarked into special transporter.

Two CCTV accessible directly from the State Police Headquarter in Jakarta are located in strategic location. “Everything related to security issue here is directly monitored from Jakata headquarter”, said Pariyadi who previously was the deputy-chief of Banyuwangi police cluster.

On the other hand Densus 88 (special anti-terror squad) Bali yesterday informed that so far there was no evidence whatsoever of the suspect presence in Bali. The Chief of Public Relation of Bali Police headquarter Police Superintendent AS Reineban to prevent and detect possible movement of Mas Slamet to Bali, all ports are now in maximum security alert. In addition to ports, all coastlines potential for landing are also monitored.

To extend detection capability, local fishermen were required to assist police by keeping their eyes open to unusual activities.