Jakarta. Indonesian police have arrested a man suspected of sending a bomb threat that forced the evacuation of an elementary school in South Jakarta and prompted a bomb squad deployment earlier on Monday.

Metro Jaya Police spokesperson Budi Hermanto identified the suspect only by his initials, MY, 34. He said the suspect has been taken into custody at the South Jakarta Metro Police headquarters.

"The suspect in the bomb threat at the school in Srengseng Sawah has been arrested. He has been identified as MY and lives near the school. He is currently being held at the South Jakarta Metro Police," Budi told reporters on Monday.

Investigators are continuing to question the suspect to determine the motive behind the threat and why he sent the messages.

"We are still investigating the motive and the purpose behind the bomb threat," Budi said.

He also urged the public to act responsibly and avoid actions that disrupt public safety, particularly in educational institutions.

"We appeal to the public to be more responsible. We want schools to remain safe and comfortable places for learning. Because of this threat, students had to be sent home," he added.

Earlier on Monday, authorities evacuated SDN Srengseng Sawah 15, a public elementary school in Jakarta's Jagakarsa district, after a first-grade teacher received bomb threats via WhatsApp from an unknown sender.

The messages claimed that explosive devices had been planted in 11 locations around the school and threatened to detonate them.

The threat forced the cancellation of the first day of the school's student orientation program, with all students sent home as a precaution.

Police officers and members of the Indonesian National Police's Gegana Bomb Disposal Unit were deployed to secure and search the school grounds. No explosives were found during the operation.

The investigation into the bomb threat is ongoing, with police expected to determine whether additional charges will be filed against the suspect.

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