Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
The details of the executions of the Bali bombers remain unknown, but authorities are taking no chances, with security at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport being tightened and the Australian government warning its citizens against traveling to Indonesia.
Airport security guards and police have been tightening inspections of vehicles entering the area since Saturday, fearing a backlash from Islamist militants over the executions of Amrozi, 47, his brother Mukhlas, 48, and Imam Samudra, 38.
"We will tighten security at the airport until the execution of the convicted terrorists is done," Comr. Sutimin, chief of traffic police at the airport, told The Jakarta Post.
He said a number of plain-clothed detectives had been deployed to monitor the situation at the airport.
The 2002 Bali bombings killed 202 people, mostly foreign holidaymakers, including 88 Australians.
The executions by firing squad are expected to be carried out in the next week or two.
These will be the first executions to be carried out under Indonesia's terrorism laws.
Although there has been no official confirmation of a circulating text message claiming National Police anti-terrorism squad intelligence indicates there could be retaliatory bomb attacks in public places, especially big shopping malls, authorities have placed foreign embassies, shopping malls and ports under close guard.
The Australian government issued a travel warning Sunday over fears of an extremist backlash against the executions. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said any Australians traveling to Indonesia should stay clear of places that could be targeted.
"We are making sure that we advise Australians firstly to reconsider their need to travel to Indonesia," Smith told the Nine Network television channel.
"We also indicate to them that if they do travel to Bali and Indonesia, to keep away from sites which have obviously been terrorist sites in the past."
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said the Australian travel warning was unnecessary as Indonesian security officers would guarantee the safety of foreign nationals.
"We hope tourists won't cancel their trip to Indonesia," he said Sunday, as quoted by detik.com.
According to Faizasyah, the Australian government issued a travel warning last year that was still in effect, but rather than discouraging tourists, the number of visitors increased by 50 percent.
Immigration Office spokesman Maroloan Baringbing also said the planned execution had not affected the number of people visiting the country.
"No significant fluctuation (in the number of visitors)," he told detik.com on Sunday, adding that domestic security would be tourists' main concern.
"Therefore, we have to work together to ensure security," he said. "It's not just the task of the authorities."
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