Antiterror center lost in action
Antiterror center lost in action
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
On Sept. 9, 2003, Governor Sutiyoso launched the distribution of
50,000 16-page manuals containing information on some
antiterrorist tips in a ceremony at Plaza Senayan, Central
Jakarta. The event was widely covered by the media and attended
by hundreds of people.
Fast-forward one year later, though, and nobody thought of the
manuals until a bomb exploded outside the Australian Embassy on
Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta, during office hours.
Besides promoting the manuals, the administration had
announced the establishment of the Jakarta Antiterror Center with
a Jakarta hotline of 3500000 and the Jakarta Crisis Center with
hotlines 3822011 and 3823413. The centers were supposed to be
open 24 hours a day.
However, when several reporters tried to call the antiterror
center on Friday, it was answered by an on-duty officer of the
"29 command post".
"This number is no longer the line for the antiterror center.
This is the 29 command post," the operator said, refusing to give
his name.
The 29 command post has been set up to accommodate complaints
from the public on social disturbances such as brawls in their
neighborhood.
The antiterror center used to have computers, telephones,
desks and chairs, including some for the receptionists. But on
Friday, only a few chairs and desks were seen in the room while
some stickers posted on the room's windows showed that it used to
host the antiterror center.
The operator claimed that he had no idea where the equipment
had gone.
Dozens of female public order officers were seen relaxing in
the room. However, none of them were willing to offer information
about the antiterror center.
Sutiyoso, however, denied that the center had closed.
"The center still exists. It was the first to provide me with
the information about the incident," he claimed.
The governor reminded the public about the importance of
having the manuals.
"I think every home should have one, but we can't provide them
immediately," he said.
The manual also attempts to explain a number of indications of
the terrorist activities, as well as setting out questions and
answers on terrorism, first aid, antiterrorism preparedness, what
to do in the event of a terrorist attack and guidelines for
security officers. It also contains some important telephone
numbers, including hospitals, police stations and fire stations.
He pointed out that public awareness on terror threats would
be very crucial to help prevent a similar attack.
"Therefore, I call on chiefs of neighborhood units and
community units to be more active in monitoring visitors and new
residents in their areas," he said.
Sutiyoso also called on the administrations in Greater Jakarta
of Bogor, Depok, Bekasi and Tangerang to increase their
monitoring efforts.