Directive to report to RT chiefs ignored

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

"A visitor staying for over 24 hours must report to the neighborhood unit (RT) chief," read notices posted all over the city. However, many residents simply turn the other cheek.

Therefore, local authorities -- such as neighborhood chiefs -- lack data on thousands of people living in boarding houses and rented houses -- which enjoy a high turnover here.

An explosion in front of the Australian Embassy on Jl. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, served as a grim reminder to local leaders and community members that the above notice is displayed for a good reason.

The police's preliminary investigation revealed that key suspects of the bombing -- Azahari Hussin and Noordin Moh. Top -- had been hiding in a rented house in Cengkareng, West Jakarta prior to the attack.

Police had also found explosive materials in rented houses related to terror threats including those in Pondok Kelapa, East Jakarta, in July, 2001; Tapos subdistrict, Depok, in July, 2002; Pondok Aren subdistrict, Tangerang in 2001; and Cimanggis, Depok, in March, 2004.

Following the bomb attack, Governor Sutiyoso reiterated his call to neighborhood chiefs, community unit (RW) chiefs and subdistrict chiefs to remain vigilant on newcomers staying in their areas.

He asked local leaders to collect data on people living in boarding houses and rented homes, to prevent the houses being used as hideouts.

Muslich, RT 15 chief in Bendungan Hilir subdistrict, Central Jakarta, said on Monday that 16 of 55 houses in the area had become boarding houses.

He claimed he had always reminded house owners to update data on tenants, but many ignored his call.

"Only five tenants reported their presence to me," he told The Jakarta Post.

Another boarding house owner in Karet subdistrict, Setiabudi, South Jakarta -- who requested anonymity -- said that he did not report new tenants to the RT chief but kept copies of their ID cards.

"I know the identity of all tenants in my houses. I told them to report to the RT chief, but many of them are reluctant. I can't force them because, as far as I know, it's not obligatory," he said.

Bylaw No. 11/1988 on general order in Jakarta does not stipulate that house owners and tenants must report their presence to RT chiefs.

Anthony, the tenant of a boarding house in Bendungan Hilir, said he did not report to the RT chief as he did not think it was necessary. He said that the house owner did not tell him to do so either.

Muslich said data on residents in his neighborhood was not needed for security purposes only, but also if something happened to the tenants.

"If they die or are involved in a crime, I will be the first to be questioned. Therefore, I should know details of who is living in this neighborhood," he said.