19 July 2009

Governor of Jakarta Special Capital Region (DKI Jakarta) Fauzi Bowo said as of 19 July 2009, the average hotel occupancy rate is 66%. He explained that the level of occupancy becomes a reference showing signs of recovery. Furthermore Governor Fauzi Bowo said “the signs of recovery send a message to terrorists saying Jakarta refuses to be held hostage by terrorists.”

”We must remain vigilant and I call all Jakartans to immediately report irregular events to the police,” said Governor Fauzi Bowo.

Meanwhile in a press conference at Jakarta Media Crisis Center, Indonesian Police Head of Public Relations Department Inspector General Nanan Soekarna asks journalists to be more meticulous and careful in publishing information related to JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels bombings. "Don't let the terrorist use the information to wage terror campaign against the public," he said.

"Terrorist's goal is to have as much media coverage as possible, this is part of a special calculation conducted by the bomber. The transmission of pictures that scare the public is part of the calculation. By broadcasting pictures showing injured and grieving people repeatedly, the public will get scared. This is exactly what the bomber wants," said Police Inspector General Nanan Soekarna.

In the meantime, it was reported that as of 19 July 2009, number of passengers coming through Soekarno-Hatta international airport reaches 6,272 people. In the same period there are 7,948 people leaving Jakarta.