KUALA LUMPUR: Global Movement of Moderates CEO Nasharuddin Mat Isa was on his way back to his hotel in Jakarta after a meeting, when his car was diverted by the police to take a longer route.
He asked the police about the commotion and that was when he learnt about the explosions in Jakarta.
“We had just left the area four to five minutes earlier,” he said in a phone interview from Jakarta.
He said when he made it back to his hotel lobby, it was unusually quiet as hardly anyone was around.
“From my experience staying at the Grand Hyatt, the lobby is always busy and full of people,” he added.
From his hotel room, he could see helicopters flying overhead, and military and police vehicles moving about to secure the area.
The hotel is only 800m away from where the blasts went off but Nasharuddin does not feel afraid that his hotel might be a target.
“Security is very tight at the hotel. They check all cars for explosives and they do a body screening for everyone coming in. So, it looks secure,” he said.
In July 2009, the JW Marriot and Ritz Carlton in Jakarta were targetted by suicide bombers, which resulted in a number of fatalities and injuries.
Malaysians in Indonesia, especially students, are now being advised to avoid crowded places.
“They should avoid areas with large crowds for the time being until we find out more about the matter, who the assailants are and until the police come out with a report,” Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said in a phone interview.
He said the advice was also directed to all Malaysians in Indonesia.
There are some 600 Malaysian students in the Indonesian capital and about 5,000 students throughout the country.
The Malaysian embassy in Jakarta can be reached at +0062 21 5224 947 or [email protected].
Wisma Putra has confirmed that no Malaysian was affected by the attacks.
“Malaysian citizens residing and travelling to Jakarta are advised to be extra vigilant and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities,” the embassy said in a press statement.-THESTAR
