Jakarta on top alert over terrorist acts<\/p>\n
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Jakarta leaders agreed on Tuesday on joint measures to boost
\nsecurity here and called for heightened public alertness amid
\nrising concern over security in the aftermath of the Bali carnage
\nthat claimed almost 200 lives, Governor Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
\"Following the Bali bombings, also as part of preparations
\nahead of the fasting month of Ramadhan, we shall do our utmost to
\nuphold security by preventing similar incidents from occurring
\nhere in the capital,\" Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
The governor was speaking after chairing a meeting of city
\nleaders to discuss security following the Bali bombings and in
\nanticipation of the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
The closed-door meeting was attended by all heads of city
\nadministration agencies, as well as the Jakarta military and
\npolice, including Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
\nPadmanegara and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. M. Yahya.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said security would be increased at embassies and
\nproperty belonging to foreign interests, as well as public
\nplaces, such as markets, entertainment centers and shopping
\nmalls.<\/p>\n
\"We shall put in place an early detection system in public
\nplaces, including bus terminals, railway stations and airports,
\nto prevent acts of terrorism in the city,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the management of public places would be required to
\nuse metal detectors and bomb detectors to minimize the likelihood
\nof any attack on their buildings.<\/p>\n
\"We call on the public to uphold security in the city by
\nreporting any suspicious material, activity, or even people to
\nsecurity officials nearby,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"The police cannot ensure the security of every square meter
\nof the city, given the human resource constraints. That's why we
\ncall on the public to uphold security through their civilian
\nsecurity officers,\" said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton
\nBachrul Alam.<\/p>\n
Anton revealed that the police and owners of shopping centers,
\nhotels and malls had met on Monday evening at Aston Hotel to
\ndiscuss the commitment to tightening security within their own
\nareas.<\/p>\n
Anton said the owners were entitled to implement their own
\npolicies on security in accordance with their situation.<\/p>\n
However, Anton said, police would still provide help if
\nneeded, especially if civilian security personnel found any
\nsuspicious materials or incidents that could possibly threaten
\nsecurity in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, they (security officers) have received training from
\npolice antiterrorist personnel on how to handle a bomb threat
\nmade either via a phone call or suspicious package,\" Anton said.<\/p>\n
A bomb scare occurred at noon on Tuesday at Chase Plaza, Jl.
\nJend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. A bomb disposal team of eight
\npolice personnel failed to find any explosives, while all
\nemployees working there were evacuated from the building at 2
\np.m.<\/p>\n
Several public places in Jakarta tightened their security on
\nTuesday following police warnings about possible attacks.<\/p>\n
Security manager of Plaza Indonesia, Central Jakarta,
\nHasibuan, M.S., told The Jakarta Post that his security officers
\nwere ready to carry out the measures necessary to ensure security
\ninside as well as outside the building.<\/p>\n
\"As you see, besides cameras, we are using metal detectors and
\nsearch all vehicles on entry,\" said Hasibuan.<\/p>\n
Hasibuan revealed that he had also briefed janitors and office
\nboys to assist by reporting any suspicious materials or people to
\nthe nearest security post.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Plaza Senayan, South Jakarta, tightened its
\nsecurity by searching all vehicles entering the premises.<\/p>\n
\"We've intensified our security searches in the aftermath of
\nthe Bali bomb blasts. However, no additional security forces have
\nbeen deployed thus far,\" said Ani, a manager at Plaza Senayan.<\/p>\n
Ani added that the Bali incident had resulted in a sharp drop
\nin the number of visitors going to the mall.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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