JAKARTA: The recent series of attacks against police officers in Greater Jakarta could be a result of failure by police to take appropriate measures to anticipate such incidents, State Intelligence Agency chief Lt Gen (ret) Marciano Norman said yesterday. “There are groups who want to attack police as revenge. We have passed information to police regarding the threats,” Marciano said after attending the Independence Day ceremony at the Merdeka Palace. Because the attacks have continued, “the police have seemingly failed to learn from previous experiences.” .
Festival blast victim dies
TOKYO: A 44-year-old woman who suffered severe burns in an explosion at a fireworks festival in western Japan two days ago became the first person to die from the accident on yesterday, police said. Hiromi Takeuchi was one of 59 people injured in the blast which ripped through food and drink stalls set up to entertain visitors at an annual festival outside the ancient capital of Kyoto. She died in a local hospital. Police earlier said 18 were seriously injured with Takeuchi and an eight-year-old girl in critical condition.
Emergency over bird flu
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Animal Health Directorate yesterday declared avian flu emergency in several parts of the capital Kathmandu after fresh cases emerged from the valley. It said the decision meant that trading of birds was banned and culling ordered in emergency zones. More than 50 cases have been reported in the past one month.
Resort owner’s status revoked
SINGAPORE: The Singaporean man who allowed a Muslim prayer room in his Johor resort to be used for a Buddhist ceremony has had his Malaysian permanent resident status revoked. According to Malaysian reports, the authorities had decided to revoke the PR status of resort owner Syed Ahmed Alkaff, who is a Muslim, as he did not respect religious sensitivities. The revocation takes place with immediate effect. Malaysian Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said: “The Home Affairs Ministry has decided to revoke the permanent resident status of the owner of the resort, because the PR status is only a facility given by the government, and not a privilege. As a PR, he should know the sensitivities of the religious affairs practised in this country.” Agencies
