Surabaya residents hire extra guards for holiday<\/p>\n
Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post\/Surabaya<\/p>\n
Extra security guards were hired by many housing complexes in
\nSurabaya as home owners sought peace of mind while celebrating
\nIdul Fitri back in their hometowns.<\/p>\n
Prior to the annual exodus, a number of housing complexes
\nhired ordinary people to provide extra security alongside the
\nregular security guards.<\/p>\n
"Since the prices of basic necessities shot up following the
\nfuel price increases, tenants leaving for their hometowns are
\nmore worried about security. In previous years there have been
\nmany thefts, so imagine now with the prices of basic necessities
\non the rise," said Putu, a neighborhood chief in a housing
\ncomplex in Sidoarjo, Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Putu said that during last year's Idul Fitri, residents
\ntrusted a couple of security guards to protect their houses, but
\nthis year were afraid to leave their houses unguarded.<\/p>\n
One resident, he added, had hired several watchmen to guard
\nhis house.<\/p>\n
Iqbal, 30, who lives in Buduran, Sidoarjo, is one of those
\npeople who have been recruited as an additional security guard
\nfor a salary of Rp 50,000 (US$5) per day.<\/p>\n
Carrying several books and a pen, without a uniform or any
\nsort of security equipment, Iqbal did his rounds in a housing
\ncomplex in Sidoarjo.<\/p>\n
Iqbal and three of his friends were hired to assist four
\nregular security guards at the complex.<\/p>\n
"For the sake of security during Idul Fitri, I was hired by
\nthe management of the housing complex to keep a record of
\nresidents who have left for their hometowns. I will work here
\nuntil a week after the Idul Fitri holiday," he told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
Residents who travel for the holiday can pay a fee of Rp
\n20,000 to have their houses watched over while they are gone.
\nResidents can even contact the security guards, who have been
\nprovided with cell phones, for daily updates on their homes.<\/p>\n
"We have noted the telephone numbers of the tenants who are
\naway and are ready to report on the situation with their homes,"
\nsaid Iqbal.<\/p>\n
Working as security guards in a housing complex during the
\nIdul Fitri holiday is a new experience for Iqbal and his three
\nfriends. Although the work can be taxing, he feels fortunate to
\nbe able to earn some money during the holiday.<\/p>\n
Rosihan, 55, another extra security guard, feels the same. He
\nis prepared to protect residents' houses for Rp 70,000 per day.<\/p>\n
Unlike Iqbal, who is inexperienced in the field, Rosihan is a
\nretired security guard and is paid more than Iqbal because of his
\nexperience.<\/p>\n
"The money is pretty good. I am willing to skip the Idul Fitri
\ncelebrations to make some money," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/surabaya-residents-hire-extra-guards-for-holiday-1447893297",
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