JAKARTA: Police have arrested a 34-year-old man, identified only by the initials MY, for allegedly sending a bomb threat that disrupted the first day of school at SD Srengseng Sawah 15 Pagi state elementary school in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Monday.
The suspect was arrested near the school hours after a WhatsApp message was sent claiming that bombs had been planted at 11 locations across the school complex.
The threat prompted police to deploy personnel from the Gegana bomb disposal unit and the counterterrorism squad Densus 88 to search the school, but no explosives were found.
Greater Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Budi Hermanto said MY had been taken into custody and was being questioned by investigators at the South Jakarta Police headquarters.
“The suspect, identified by the initials MY, who lives near the school, has been secured. Investigators are still probing his motive and the purpose behind his actions,” Budi said on Monday, as quoted by Antara.
Earlier, Jagakarsa Police chief Comr. Nurma Dewi said the threatening message had been sent via WhatsApp to teachers and school administrative staff members, while students were attending a flag-raising ceremony.
The recipients reported the message after the ceremony, prompting an immediate evacuation and bomb sweep.- Jakarta Post/ANN
