American companies boost security measures

JAKARTA (JP): American companies operating in Indonesia have been boosting security measures to protect foreign workers, particularly United States citizens, amid rising tension in the wake of the U.S. government's threat to attack Afghanistan.

Oil company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia, which is a joint venture between American firms Chevron and Texaco, has asked its employees to stay at home or on company property to avoid undesirable harassment.

"We have urged our foreign workers to stay in the operation areas for their own safety unless it is necessary to go out," Caltex spokesman Renville Almatsier told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

He also said Caltex had intensified identity card examinations at every entrance gate of its strategic business units in Riau.

Caltex has also asked the police and military to contribute personnel to guard its oil fields, Renville said.

Caltex, which concentrates its Indonesian operation in Riau, accounts for more than half of the country's 1.3 million-barrel per day oil output. The company has a workforce totaling 5,200, including 120 foreigners.

Caltex has confronted numerous security problems, including theft and blockage, long before the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11.

Since Sept. 11, tension has been rising worldwide, particularly in countries with a large Muslim population, following the U.S. government's threat to attack Afghanistan for its refusal to hand over Saudi-born businessman Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden has been accused by the U.S. of masterminding the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Some extremist groups in Indonesia have threatened to raid U.S. companies' facilities and expel American citizens if the U.S. carries out its threat. Indonesia is home to the worlds largest Muslim population.

U.S ambassador to Indonesia Robert S. Gelbard has asked the National Police to provide a security guarantee for U.S. citizens and facilities.

Separately, Julia Tumengkol, spokeswoman of oil and gas company ExxonMobil Oil Indonesia Inc., a subsidiary of American energy giant ExxonMobil Inc., said that the company had taken "some measures" to protect its foreign workers, but she refused to provide any details.

"It's our policy not to disclose it," she said.

ExxonMobil is one of the largest gas producers in the country, with its operations mainly centered in the restive province of Aceh.

ExxonMobil has about 50 foreigners among its 1,300 employees.

Separately, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) vice president for coordinating trade affairs Soy M. Pardede, said the business environment in Indonesia after the U.S. attack was still normal.

He called on all people in the country to remain cool-headed and not respond emotionally to every development in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, including the U.S. threat to attack Afghanistan.

He said the possible conflict should not disturb racial and religious harmony in the country or endanger expatriates, including American citizens, living here.

Should harmony and security be shattered, the country will fail to carry out its economic reform agenda, Soy told the Post. (iwa)