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.