Job Discussion Forums

[Chester]

Indonesian police believe two of the Bali bombing masterminds may be behind the latest threats to Australians and other westerners in Jakarta.

Australians in Jakarta have been specifically warned to expect bomb attacks in the lobbies of hotels frequented by Westerners.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued a new warning about such attacks in the wake of information from United States officials.

The US embassy reopened on Tuesday after closing for several days following an unspecified security threat.

Police in Jakarta have called on hotels to beef up security, but most already have tough checks in place following the car bombing in 2003 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta which killed 12 people.

"New information suggests extremists are planning to conduct bomb attacks targeting the lobbies of hotels frequented by Westerners in Jakarta to occur around noon on an unspecified date," the DFAT update says.

"The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (POLRI) ... identifies as potential targets a number of other places frequented by foreigners, in particular embassies, international schools, office buildings and shopping malls.

"While no timeframes are indicated in this information, it reinforces our assessment that terrorists are in the very advanced stages of planning attacks.

"Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Indonesia and could be directed at any locations known to be frequented by foreigners."

Jakarta police chief General Da'i Bachtiar confirmed the threat, adding it may be the work of known terrorists.

"Azahari and his ilk may be linked to the threat," General Bachtiar told the Jakarta Post.

Two Malaysian nationals, Azahari Husin and Noordin Mohammad Top, who are still at large, are believed to be behind the Bali bombings, the JW Marriott Hotel attack and the bombing outside the Australian embassy last year.

Terror expert Dr Clive Williams said the pair were the likely suspects behind the threat.

"Azahari and Top are the two people that have been responsible for recent bombings," Dr Williams said.

"They are the likely suspects. They are the planners and would use one of their volunteers ready to sacrifice themselves."

Dr Williams said that security upgrades near embassies and hotels meant it was becoming harder to effectively detonate a car bomb and it was more likely the next attack would involve a suicide bomber going into a building.

He said the period from August to December seemed to be the most popular time for terrorist attacks in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian embassy in Canberra is stepping up its security after a scare involving a white powder in an envelope and an abusive letter.

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said Indonesian embassy and consular offices in Australia would purchase special devices to screen all letters.

The embassy was closed for two days after the discovery of the envelope, which tests showed did not contain any harmful substance.

It is believed the letter may have been triggered by outrage over the jailing of Gold Coast woman Schapelle Corby over drug charges in Bali.

Indonesian and Australian Federal Police as well as Victorian state police are believed to be making progress on the case.

An investigation is also continuing into a parcel containing a sealed plastic bag of white powder addressed to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, which was intercepted at the parliament house mail room on Friday.