Shoring Up Bali's Security

(4/23/2011)

The National News Agency Antara Bali's bureau reports that security measures have been tightened at the port of Gilamanuk, the ferry landing port for overland visitors from the neighboring island of Java. The security alert, now at a "Siaga Satu" level, was implemented following a suicide bombing attack on Friday, April 15, 2011, at a mosque located with a police station in Cirebon, West Java.
The chief of the Jembrana, Bali police district, AKBP Irfin Jaya, confirmed that all goods, vehicles and people arriving in Bali through the port are now undergoing close scrutiny and physical inspections. Supplementing the normal complement of security personnel working at the port are an entire platoon of the Samapta - specially trained crime prevention police officers.
The status of "high alert" or "siaga satu" was ordered by the chief of police for the province of Bali, General Hadiatmoko, moments after receiving reports of the Cirebon bomb attack.
In addition to a security crackdown at the Gilamanuk port, special patrols are also operating along coastal areas and extra security measures have been put in place at selected police installations across the island of Bali.
The police have asked the public to be on guard, reporting any suspicious situations to their nearest police precinct.