Governor conducts unaanounced security checks on public places

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso and entourage paid surprise visits on six sites on Tuesday to check their readiness to prevent terrorist attacks.

Of the six sites -- the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, World Trade Center building, Jakarta Hospital, Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), Ciputra Hotel and Horison Hotel -- the governor praised the JSX security system as the best.

"The JSX management has learned from the previous bomb blast in 2000," he said.

Ten people were killed and dozens others injured in a bombing at the exchange on Sept. 13, 2000.

Located in the Central Business District and close to Jakarta Police Headquarters in South Jakarta, the JSX building has become a landmark in the capital.

Security guards and management of the Mandarin hotel were caught by surprise when the two medium-sized buses carrying Sutiyoso and his entourage, including the press, pulled up at the front door.

When the governor arrived at the World Trade Center on Jl. Sudirman, the only one there to greet him was security guard Agus Riyanto.

Under the camera lights, the governor interviewed the guard on the security conditions at the building and his monthly salary.

Agus, who lives in a rented house in Bekasi with his wife and two children, said he earned Rp 700,000 (US$83) a month, plus a meal allowance of Rp 5,000 per day.

"Well, it's not enough, sir," the guard responded when Sutiyoso asked him if he could support his family on his salary.

Agus told Sutiyoso he had to spend Rp 12,000 a day traveling between his house his job.

At the end of his surprise inspections, Sutiyoso expressed concern about security at the Horison Hotel and the Jakarta Hospital. He said the two sites had yet to arm themselves with security devices such as metal detectors, security doors and closed-circuit TV.

Ari Syamsul, chief of security at the Horison, said the necessary equipment would be procured within two weeks.

Sutiyoso earlier threatened to announce publicly those buildings that did not meet security standards.

Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Nanan Sukarna said the police and the city administration were working together to help improve security standards at public places.

He said that there were three aspects of security: the system, the personnel and the devices. Nanan said buildings needed at least four security devices: metal detectors, mirror for inspecting beneath vehicles, security doors and closed-circuit TV.

Of the six sites visited by Sutiyoso, none were administration or government offices, although they must also meet security standards.

"Next time, I will make similar sudden visits on government offices. Now we are focusing on private buildings," Sutiyoso said.