Carrying guns into bars 'commonplace'

Carrying guns into bars 'commonplace'

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Armed people can walk into hotels and bars in Jakarta almost
without restriction, with most gun-toters ignoring the
requirement to turn in their weapons at the door.

Hotel Hilton public relations manager Emeraldo said on
Thursday that security guards often turned a blind eye to
prominent figures, including military and police officers as well
as hotel owners, carrying guns onto the property.

"It is standard procedure to check all people entering our
hotel. If they carry a gun they must show their license to the
guards and surrender the gun at entrance door. However, in
reality several exceptions are made," Emeraldo told The Jakarta
Post on Thursday.

Many people have expressed concern over the existence of guns
inside hotels and bars following the Jan. 1 murder of Yohannes
Berchmans Haerudy Natong, alias Rudy, a trainee waiter at the
Fluid Club inside the Hilton Hotel.

Police have declared businessman Adiguna Sutowo, a younger
brother of Ponco Sutowo, one of the owners of the Hilton Hotel,
the sole suspect in the killing.

At least three out of 19 witnesses questioned so far have told
police that they saw Adiguna pull the trigger.

Emeraldo said following the shooting, the owners of the hotel
were planning to implement stricter procedures to stop guests
carrying guns into the hotel.

"The hotel management is currently discussing stricter
application of procedures with the police. I think the hotel's
owners have their own considerations after the incident," he
said.

Secretary-general of the Federation of Hotel and Bar Workers
Odie Hudiyanto said carrying guns into hotels and bars was common
in the capital because most gun owners were adverse to leaving
their guns with guards.

He said that hotel and bar employees told him that many guests
freely carried guns into hotels and bars in Jakarta.

"Most hotels and bars require guests to leave their guns at
the front door. However, most of them don't obey the rule.
Several (gun owners) would argue that it is for their own
protection that they carry a gun inside," Odie told the Post.

He said that in reality they just wanted to show off their
guns.

"It is an arrogant lifestyle. I frequently overhear somebody
say 'I can buy your head' while showing a gun. It is very
dangerous, especially in bars offering alcoholic drinks all
around," said Odie, an employee at a five-star hotel in the
capital.

He said his federation had demanded that the police introduce
a clear regulation that prohibits the carrying of guns into
hotels, bars and other public places.

Indonesia already has laws regulating civilian ownership of
guns, including Emergency Law No. 12/1951 on weaponry, Law No.
8/1984 on gun registration and Law No. 28/1997 on the police, but
there is no regulation that specifies places where people are
prohibited from carrying guns.