Has failed to introduce enough security to prevent more terrorist attacks and remains the region's prime target, according to General I Made Mangku Pastika, the island's former police chief, who captured the Bali bombers. After launching his campaign to become Bali's first directly elected governor, General Pastika vowed to upgrade security throughout the island to international standards, but also called on Australians to defy terrorists by continuing to visit."The terrorists still consider Bali is the best place to do their activity and send a message to the world," he saidHighly respected in Bali and across Indonesia, General Pastika is almost certain to win next month's poll.
Victory would give him powers equivalent to a state premier under Indonesia's decentralised political system.His comments are likely to ease pressure on Australia to lift its warning against travel to Indonesia, which remains the biggest irritant in the Australia-Indonesia relationship.General Pastika ran the operation that identified, imprisoned or shot almost all of the principal players in the 2002 Bali bombing, which killed 202 people. Jemaah Islamiah terrorists bombed cafes on the island a second time in 2005.In an exclusive interview with The Age, General Pastika said the island's security measures were not adequate, and boosting Bali's safety would be his first priority as governor.
"Bali is dependent on tourism and, of course, tourism needs security, safety," he said.A comprehensive international- standard security system was essential, including closed circuit television cameras in tourist precincts and tighter security for hotels and attractions, General Pastika said. Surveillance and security at Bali's international airport and ports must also be heightened, he said.General Pastika is proposing specialist counterterrorism training for Bali's police and wants all major hotels to co-ordinate their security precautions.Despite his assessment, General Pastika called on Australians to return to Bali. "Once we are scared of terrorism they are winning, that's why I appeal to all the people of the world: don't be scared of terrorism, just come."Tell them I am not scared of your actions. That's the best way to fight against terrorism."General Pastika said Canberra should not be blamed for maintaining a warning that a terrorist attack in Bali was highly likely."It's one of the jobs of the Government to protect their people; we cannot blame the Government."We cannot ask them to follow our standard of security; we need to increase our security standard to match theirs."We still need to develop the security system in Bali."Frankly speaking, we have a lot of things we should do to develop the international standard of security and safety system in Bali."Despite the travel warning, the number of Australians visiting Indonesia increased by more than a third last year.Both former prime minister John Howard and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty have praised General Pastika's work.
The general was made an officer of the Order of Australia for leading the investigation into the first Bali bombing.He was then promoted to head Indonesia's anti-drug bureau, but will resign from that post if he wins the election. Polls show he has more than 50% support in a field of three.
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