Despite stabbing at Rasuna, apartment dwellers feel safe

Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A recent attack on a foreigner at an apartment block in Jakarta has not shaken the belief of most apartment tenants that their building managements have in place adequate security procedures.

The stabbing last week of a Japanese woman at the Taman Rasuna apartments in Kuningan, South Jakarta, shocked many but did not destroy the general feeling of security they feel in their buildings.

"The incident served as a warning to me that I must be more careful about my safety living in an apartment in a big city," said Vivi, 33, a tenant at the Rasuna apartments.

She said, however, that the incident would not convince her to move. "I am aware of the possibilities, including the unfortunate incident that happened to the Japanese woman, but I still have a great deal of trust in our security system here."

According to her, the building management has issued letters informing tenants of increased security measures following the stabbing.

She also said she had noticed an increased number of security guards around the apartment complex.

Jakarta has the highest crime rate in the nation, causing residents to take extra steps in ensuring their safety.

The city's luxury apartment buildings are known for providing tenants the best facilities, including swimming pools, tennis courts, racquetball courts, gym and, most of all, first-class security.

This last facility is the reason many of the city's wealthy and expatriate residents choose to live in apartments.

Husin, a security guard at an apartment building in Permata Hijau, South Jakarta, said the security system at the building ensured the safety of tenants.

"We take the registration cards of all the cars coming in, to avoid auto theft. Inside the lobby we have a camera to monitor everybody who wants to enter the building, while our security guards check the identification cards of all visitors," he said.

One apartment building in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, has issued tenants personal elevator cards. Without the cards, tenants cannot use the elevators and will be denied entrance to their own apartments.

Another apartment building in Kuningan also provides personal elevator cards, preventing non-tenants from entering.

A security guard at the apartments said its security measures had been successful in maintaining a zero percent crime rate at the building.

One tenant at an apartment building in Simprug, South Jakarta, Rudy, said that however sophisticated the security system of a building, the security of tenants depended on themselves.

"By no means to downplay what happened at Rasuna, we live in a big city where things like murder happen. We ourselves have to be cautious about any possible threat to our safety, regardless of where we live," he said.