To all people, please learn and understand it well. Remain calm, and let the authorities handle it
Jakarta (ANTARA) - North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi called on community members to stay calm but vigilant in response to Wednesday's suicide bombing attack on the Medan city police headquarters.

"To all people, please learn and understand it well. Remain calm, and let the authorities handle it," he told journalists at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday on being questioned on the bombing incident that resulted in the attacker being killed and injuries to six people.

Rahmayadi affirmed that any form of terror attack would not be tolerated, and the state must not bow down to the heinous intentions and acts of terrorists. No religion preaches violent extremism and self-harm in the process.

"We are doing our best. We are going to hunt, probe, and stop them," he noted, adding that the related authorities and law enforcement agencies in North Sumatra will intensify security before this year's Christmas and 2020 New Year's Eve celebrations.

The government has put in place standard operating procedures to offer security during religious festivals and major holidays, Rahmayadi noted.

Related news: After suicide bombing, police appeals to people to stay calm
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A suicide bomber detonated a home-made bomb that he had carried at the Medan city police headquarters on Wednesday morning.

While launching his attack, the bomber wore a jacket of an online-based motorbike taxi. Security around the police headquarters was intensified after the incident.

In March this year, Solimah, a housewife, detonated a home-made bomb in her house in Sibolga, North Sumatra Province.

Indonesia has become the target of attacks by terrorists since 2000, and the spread of extremism and terrorism continues to threaten the country.

ANTARA noted that in May 2018, a church in the East Java city of Surabaya was attacked. Three years ago, ISIS supporters in Indonesia had launched a suicide bombing and shooting attack in Jakarta on January 14, 2016, resulting in the deaths of eight people, including three innocent civilians.

The incident adds to the list of deadly assaults conducted by terrorist cells in Indonesia. From 2000 to 2012, more than a dozen attacks took place in the capital city, including the Australian embassy bombing on September 9, 2004, and the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotel bombings on July 17, 2009.

One of the effective ways to free Indonesia from the vicious circle of radicalism and terrorism is by empowering women in the country, as they can actively contribute to safeguarding Indonesian children from being indoctrinated by terrorist recruiters. Related news: Suicide bombing shows terrorism not completely finished: Lawmaker
Related news: Medan bombing suspect identified as collegian RMN, aged 24: Police

Translator: Agus Salim, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019