Following the twin hotel bombings in Jakarta, Bali police have tightened surveillance of the sale of chemicals in the free market to prevent the substances from being used for unlawful purposes, production of explosives in particular.
Denpasar city police chief Senior Commissioner I Gede Alit Widana said here Tuesday police units in the field had been instructed to tighten surveillance over shops selling chemicals.
“We are doing this as a measure to help prevent terrorist activity following the bombings at the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in Jakarta,” he said.
The free trade in chemicals was facilitating terrorists in obtaining the materials needed to assemble bombs, he said.
“Now we require chemical shops in Denpasar to keep a record of every sales transaction. We must know who the buyers of chemicals are, for what purpose they need the chemicals,” Widana said.
In addition, police have also intensified security and patrols in commercial districts, hotels, tourist spots, sea and airports.
“We do not wish to be taken by surprise because Bali, based on past experience, is also a potential target of terrorist attacks,” he added.
All police precincts in the city had been ordered to conduct frequent checks on passengers and goods carried by incoming and outgoing vehicles in Denpasar and South Badung district, Widana said.
News by Inetrnational Bali Post
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