Living comfortably with 24-hour security<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Serviced apartments have become a premier housing choice for
\nVijay Ahmed since the insurance company he works for, assigned
\nhim to work in Indonesia several months ago. His wife and
\nchildren decided to stay in Malaysia due to educational reasons.<\/p>\n
"Serviced apartments offer a more affordable alternative than
\na hotel room. Besides, I don't have to worry about utility
\nconnections, furniture purchases, or hiring maids. I can enjoy
\nall the amenities of a home-like atmosphere here," he said
\nreferring to his apartment located near the central business
\ndistrict (CBD).<\/p>\n
Business travelers and expatriates who are traveling to
\nJakarta for vacation or for work, can enjoy spacious luxury of a
\nprivate residence with the service and security of a hotel by
\nrenting serviced apartments for one night or years, without
\nworrying about kitchen appliances, paintings, lamps and other
\ndecorations.<\/p>\n
"People can lead an easy and enjoyable life in the apartment
\nbecause it has complete facilities, including sports. Its
\nproximity to most offices (CBD) gives people better access to
\nmost places, so they can avoid traffic congestion, and save time.<\/p>\n
Unlike living in a house, they also have better security and
\ndo not have to think about the maintenance," said Fury Wardhana,
\nassistant marketing manager of commercial residences at PT.
\nJakarta Setiabudi Internasional Tbk that runs Apartemen Kuningan.<\/p>\n
Security has become a major concern of many apartment tenants.
\nRecent incidents like riots and the Bali bombings have made them
\naware of the importance of 24-hour security. "I have lived in a
\nserviced apartment since the May 1998 Riots because I am afraid
\nthat such things may recur and I do not want to be a victim of
\nxenophobia here," a tenant who declined to disclose her name
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
To keep its tenants comfortable and secure, Apartemen Kuningan
\nhas enhanced its security system by using metal detectors to
\ncheck all staff, tenants, guests, suppliers, as well as all
\nvehicles. The car's baggage and the sitting area are also checked
\nproperly. The security staff regularly checks the apartment from
\nthe basement to the roof, 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n
"Our security guards are trained to deal with any emergency
\nsituation efficiently. Not everyone can enter the building unless
\nthey have an appointment and the guests can not enter the
\napartment unless the tenant invites them in," Fury said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Ascott Jakarta has instituted several measures
\nto enhance security such as limiting access of basement car parks
\nto tenants with valid car stickers only, installation of
\nadditional security personnel to monitor entry and other
\nstrategic points, use of cameras and other equipment to monitor
\nactivities around the building.<\/p>\n
"Being in a serviced residence business, the traffic of people
\ncoming in and out of the building is limited to our residents and
\nstaff which facilitates easier monitoring and control," Avelyn
\nSantiago, resident manager of the Ascott Jakarta said, adding
\nthat "security" is one of the company's strong selling points.<\/p>\n
The Ascott Group owns and manages properties under The Ascott
\n& Somerset brands. It has one-stop service for three properties
\nin Jakarta and two in Surabaya with networks in 12 countries.
\nCurrently, its occupancy rate is very stable, above 80 percent on
\naverage.<\/p>\n
Menteng Executive also ensures its tenants' security by
\nchecking every car, having the security guards go around the
\nbuilding for 24 hours, and providing emergency doors. Herlina
\nTamblin, the company's senior marketing executive, said that
\nevery driver or maids working inside the building had to be
\nregistered.<\/p>\n
"They must wear their name tags while working," she said.
\nSecurity guarantee, service and strategic location have made
\nMenteng Executive able to maintain its occupancy rate up to 99
\npercent.<\/p>\n
Security issues, however, do not impede the apartment
\nmanagement from being optimistic in developing their business.
\n"We believe that the serviced apartment business will remain
\nstable with sustainable growth in the years to come," Santiago
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that the growth would be highly dependent upon the
\nalleviation of security concerns and stability of the political
\nclimate, both of which will help fuel economic and foreign
\ninvestment growth in the country. "This will directly impact our
\nmarket niche which is heavily reliant on foreign arrivals
\ncontemplating to stay and do business in Indonesia for at least a
\nyear or more."<\/p>\n
Sharing Santiago's view, Fury believed that the business would
\ncontinue to grow in years to come since the size of land is
\nlimited. He admitted that incidents such as the Bali bombings
\nindeed affected the occupancy rate but other factors such as the
\ncredibility of government, including their policy related to the
\nbusiness sector (multi national companies) would also affect the
\nnumber of new tenants.<\/p>\n
During holiday seasons occupancy goes down, he said. The
\nnumber of new tenants from October to December may decline
\ngradually up to 20 percent. It will increase again after New Year
\nuntil May before summer holidays.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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