VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Bomb attacks occurred at three churches in the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya on Sunday morning(13/5). Spokesman for the East Java Provincial Police Senior Commissioner Frans Barung Mangera said that the bomb attacks occurred in three locations, namely Santa Maria Tak Bercela Church in Ngagel, GKI (Indonesian Christian Church) in Diponegoro Street, and a church in Arjuna Street. He said,  the police have conducted investigation in the three locations. The explosion in front of Santa Maria Tak Bercela Church has killed two persons and injured 13 others. He also added, there are only three locations. He urged people to not believe in misleading information that the bomb exploded in five locations or any others. The police would share updated information on the victims as well as the incident in the three locations. Barung said, the bomb in Santa Maria Church exploded at 7.30 a.m, while two other bombs in GKI and Pantekosta Churches at 7.35 a.m and 8.00 a.m. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the wounded victims of bomb blasts at three churches in Surabaya, East Java, who were treated at the Bhayangkara Hospital in Surabaya, East Java, Sunday.

The president made the visit after reviewing two bombing incident locations namely GKI church on Jalan Diponegoro Surabaya and Central Pentecost Church Surabaya on Jalan Arjuna.

The President visited the treated victims accompanied by several officials including National Police Chief Tito Karnavian, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Head of National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Budi Gunawan, and Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.

Previously, President Jokowi canceled two of his agenda in Jakarta and immediately departed to Surabaya shortly after receiving reports of a bomb explosion in the city.

The first church visited by the President was the GKI church on Jalan Diponegoro. The President and entourage arrived at 3.30 p.m. and were greeted by East Java Governor Soekarwo and Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini.

Then at 3:45 p.m. the President arrived at Central Pentecost Church Surabaya on Jalan Arjuna.

At the church whose parts were burned, the President chatted with the coordinating minister for Political, Lagal and Security Affairs, the head of BIN, the chief of the National Police and Commander of the TNI.

The President on the occasion received reports on the explosions at the Church of the Immaculate Santa Maria on Jalan Ngagel Madya, Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) on Jalan Diponegoro, and Central Pentecostal Church on Arjuna Road.

The first explosion occurred at the Church of Mary Immaculate, which is around 7:30 a.m. The other two explosions took place each 5 minutes after the first explosion.

"The act of terrorism is really barbaric and beyond the limits of humanity that caused victims of community members, police officers, as well as innocent children including perpetrators who use two children aged about 10 years as suicide bombers," the President said.

He asserted that terrorism is a crime of humanity and has nothing to do with any religion where all religious teachings reject any terrorism. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called on the people to remain calm and preserve unity and alertness following terrorist attacks on churches in Surabaya, East Java, on Sunday.

"I appeal to all people across the country to remain calm, maintain unity and alertness," he said at a press conference in response to the suicide bomb attacks in the morning that day.

He cancelled two agendas to visit the city after receiving reports about the incidents.

He said terrorism could only be overcome through joint efforts. "Only through joint efforts by all elements could terrorism be eradicated," he said.

In view of that he called on all elements in the country to unite to fight terrorism.

"We must be united to fight terrorism and let us pray for all the dead victims and their families," he said.

To the wounded victims he would also pray for their immediate recovery.

He was accompanied by coordinating minister for political, security and legal affairs, Police Chief General Tito Karnavian, Chief of the National Intelligence Agency, Budi Gunawan, and commander of the defense forces (TNI) Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.

Fourteen people died and more than forty others had been wounded in the bomb attacks. (ANTARA)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo observed the construction  of Gempol -Pasuruan Toll Road Section 2 of 6.6 kilometers long Rembang - Pasuruan route. During his visit to Pasuruan Regency on Saturday (12/5) President Joko Widodo conveyed that the section 2 of Gempol Pasuruan toll road has entered the feasible operation process on Eid Al-Fitr or Lebaran 2018. During his visit, the President confirmed that the toll roads from Merak-Banten to Pasuruan-East Java will be used to support the smooth flow of homecoming. The President ensured although there are several segments with functional status, it can be used before Idul Fitri.

“We want to ensure the use of toll road for homecoming. We make sure toll road from Merak to Pasuruan can be used for homecoming. Although there are several kilometers still in functional condition, it will be operated. We hoped Lebaran this year, we have better road and smooth traffic,” President Joko Widodo said.

Gempol-Pasuruan toll road section 2 will provide an option for travelers who will pass the route Surabaya-Pasuruan through Pantura or North Coast line. Gempol-Pasuruan toll road that can be passed on the upcoming Lebaran season, namely section 1 of Gempol-Rembang and section 2 of Rembang-Pasuruan. The 34.15 km Gempol-Pasuruan toll road is targeted to be completed by the end of 2018 which will connect Gempol to Probolinggo. Furthermore, in 2019 it is expected that the development will continue to connect Merak-Banyuwangi. (VOI/Ndy/trs.Rezha/NT)