High-tech security causes long queues at entrance gates
High-tech security causes long queues at entrance gates
Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta
Answering calls from the participants for heightened security
during the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup badminton championships, the
organizing committee has installed a state-of-the-art access
system using barcode and fingerprint scanners.
The technology, however, has created long queues at the
entrance gates where ID card holders had to identify themselves
twice on Friday, the first day of the event. First, they had to
flash their cards in front of the barcode scanner, and then
insert their index fingers into the fingerprint scanner.
A junior police officer was admonished by his superior for
letting people walk through without following the procedures.
"What are you doing standing there? You should be checking
their IDs to see whether they have the right to go in or not,"
the senior officer told a second brigadier.
A reporter from the Bandung-based Pikiran Rakyat daily, Dendi
Sundayana, told The Jakarta Post that, in his view, the
additional measures were pointless.
"I have covered the Thomas and Uber Cups since 1992. It's the
first time the committee has applied such a high-tech security
system. We received our ID cards after registering with the
organizers so I do not think we should have to go through this."
Rajesh Paul of Malaysia's The Star said the system was a
hassle as it restricted freedom of movement.
"Since it's for security reasons, I have no other choice
although sometimes I have to wait in a long queue before getting
in," she said.
The fingerprint scanner was another problem with many people
having to insert their index fingers on a number of occasions
before getting access.
"The scanner was unable to read my fingerprint as my finger
was too sweaty. I inserted my finger a number of times with no
luck. Finally, the security guard just let me through," said
another reporter, with a smile.
The organizing committee chairman, Sulistyanto, told the Post
that the inconvenience was necessary to guarantee the safety of
the players, officials and the public.
Sulistyanto hoped that everybody would understand the
necessity of having tight security.
The security officers, however, were not searching bags or
packs, and the organizers had not provided metal-detector gates
which are standard security measures for most major sporting
events around the world.
Some 300 police officers have been deployed to provide
security, and are stationed in various places including the
Hilton Hotel where the participants are staying. Some of the
officers are in plainclothes.