Antiterror-tips booklet panned

Antiterror-tips booklet panned

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"If you see a car parked in an unauthorized location for some
time, tell the nearest security officer! Don't panic! Don't go
near it, nor touch it."

The above was one of some antiterrorist tips you can find in a
booklet launched by Governor Sutiyoso on Monday, at a ceremony
widely covered by media representatives at Plaza Senayan shopping
mall, Central Jakarta.

Imagine if Jakarta residents followed this tip closely: There
are usually too few security officers and too many cars parked in
unauthorized locations.

The launch of the 16-page booklet, measuring 18 centimeters
(cm) by 25 cm, was also attended by hundreds of people who packed
the lobby of the mall, thanks to enthusiastic media reports on
previous days.

Sutiyoso has taken the opportunity to promote the book on many
occasions, saying that he would issue a guidance book, not a 16-
page booklet. He stressed the importance of the document, as it
would become guidance for residents.

But many expressed disappointment even before they had opened
the booklet. Apart from criticizing a number of odd suggestions
in the booklet, they were also unhappy at its size.

"I thought it would be pocket-size so that I could easily take
it anywhere," said Gatot, 30, a resident of Jl. Kramat Raya,
Central Jakarta, while attending the ceremony.

Gatot also laughed when he read a statement in the booklet
that said, If you are injured, help yourself, then help wounded
victims. "Of course I'd do that," he said, adding that there was
nothing special about the booklet.

Not everyone criticized the booklets, however. Jakarta Police
chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara advised people not to view
the booklet negatively. "There are many positive things about
it," he said.

Sure there are. With all its weaknesses, the book, prepared by
the Antiterrorist Community (MPAT), has some value for the
public. It contains some important telephone numbers, including
hospitals, police stations and fire stations.

It also lists the phone numbers of Jakarta Antiterror Center
(3500000) and Jakarta Crisis Center (3822011 and 3823413). The
centers are opened 24 hours a day.

The booklet also tries to explain a number of indications of
the tourist 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 guidance for
security officers.

During the launch, Sutiyoso said he hoped the booklet would
provide guidance on prevention of terrorist attacks.

"Public awareness about terrorism is the best deterrent to any
terrorist action," Sutiyoso said.

MPAT coordinator Datuk Hakim said that his organization had
printed 50,000 copies of the booklet for release on Monday.

Datuk, however, refused to reveal how much money had been
spent on the booklet thus far. He also declined to elaborate on
the financial resources for the project, saying only that money
for it had been contributed by the public.