E JAVA ULEMAS SUPPORT GOVT TO FIGHT TERRORISM

Jakarta, July 19 (ANTARA) - East Java Ulemas Sunday expressed support for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's efforts to fight terrorism in the wake of Friday's bomb attacks at two Jakarta hotels.

"We have just met with figures and ulemas from throughout East Java to discuss developments in the wake of the bomb blasts and they expressed support for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's efforts to fight terrorism," Administrative Reforms Minister Taufik Effendi said in Gresik, East Java.

He said the ulemas supported the government's efforts to hunt down the mastermind and perpetrators of the bomb attacks and uncover the flow of funds used in the bombings.

Nine people were killed and 53 others injured in the bomb attacks at JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in the upscale Mega Kuningan district of Jakarta on Friday.

The 53 injured consist of 16 foreign nationals and 37 local people.

Spokesman of the National Police headquarters Insp. Gen. Nanang Soekarna said here on Friday six people were killed on the spot at JW Marriott Hotel and two at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, while another died at Medistra Hospital.

The injured, including at least 16 foreigners, were admitted to Pertamina Hospital (one person), the Jakarta Hospital (10), the Motropolitan Medical Center (MMC) Hospital (12), and Medistra Hospital (2), he said.

The police are investigating a number of findings at the bombing sites while at the same time analizing several possibilities including the alleged involvement of fugitive terror suspect Noordin M Top.

On August 5, 2003, Marriott Hotel was also bombed by terrorists, killing 12 people and injuring 147 others.***4***