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.