Govt building managers underestimate fire hazards<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The arson attack that badly damaged the sixth floor of the
\nfinance ministry building and destroyed important documents
\nstored there seems to have had little impact on the managers of
\ngovernment buildings with many still apparently reluctant to
\nimprove data and information protection systems.<\/p>\n
"We have not yet allocated funds (to improve the existing
\nsystems). We'll have to think about it," said Rusmariyarso from
\nthe Ministry of Industry and Trade's records and information
\ncenter.<\/p>\n
Rusmiyarso admitted that all digital data meant for back-up
\nfiles was stored in fireproof cabinets, but all paper documents
\nwere not.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Aris Warisman of the House of Representatives and
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (DPR\/MPR) Building Installation
\nManagement Bureau played down the importance of fireproof data
\nstorage.<\/p>\n
Aris said no special measures had been taken to protect the
\ndocuments.<\/p>\n
"We already have sprinklers to protect our paper documents,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Citing that most of the House and Assembly buildings were new,
\nAris said the management relied upon the installed fire
\nprotection system, and was confident that the fire equipment
\nwould work in the event of a blaze.<\/p>\n
"In addition, there are no confidential documents here as
\neverything is supposed to be open to the public," said Aris,
\nadding that the main tasks of the House and Assembly members was
\nto represent the people.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Aris' colleague in the Management Maintenance
\nBureau revealed that his bureau had allocated funds this year to
\nimprove the fire protection system and fire equipment.<\/p>\n
"But, the funds have not yet been disbursed," said Sartono.<\/p>\n
Sartono acknowledged that building managers had received a
\nwarning last year from the Jakarta Fire Department urging them to
\nregularly check their fire equipment.<\/p>\n
Separately, Fire Chief Johnny Pangaribuan revealed that his
\ndepartment had warned the managers of government buildings to
\nprotect their data with proper fire protection systems.<\/p>\n
"But, they continue to use budget constraints as an excuse to
\navoid improving their fire protection systems and safety
\nequipment," said Johnny, taking the management of the House and
\nAssembly buildings as an example.<\/p>\n
Johnny said there were nearly 200 state buildings that failed
\nto provide proper protection for data.<\/p>\n
He said government buildings were the worst for fire
\nprotection compared to buildings managed by private sector firms.<\/p>\n
"Companies in the private sector have more money, relatively
\nspeaking, to finance improvements than government departments,
\nwhich first must allocate the funds in their budgets," said
\nJohnny.<\/p>\n
State documents, especially confidential ones, are among the
\nitems that must be stored using special safety precautions, such
\nas in fireproof rooms or cabinets.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-building-managers-underestimate-fire-hazards-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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