Investors await new developments

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Three weeks after the JW Marriott Hotel bombing, investors are still assessing security developments in the city, said Fatahillah Dachlan, chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on Saturday.

Speaking on Metropolitan Dialog, aired live by Ramako radio, Fatahillah said foreign investors were interested in Jakarta but were waiting to see what happened with the bombing.

Most investors are concerned by three issues: security, law enforcement and political turbulence.

"If those three issues are taken care of, eventually they (foreign investors) will bring their funds into the country, including Jakarta," he said.

Separately, the head of the City Tourism Agency, Aurora Tambunan, said business opportunities would increase if everyone worked together to ensure the capital was safe.

Aurora said the impact of the Marriott bombing was minor compared to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome scare several months ago.

"The Marriott bombing has not had a significantly negative impact on the city's tourism," she said.

National Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Zainuri Lubis said the responsibility for providing security in the city did not only belong to the police, but to every member of society.

Zainuri said an integrated approach to security was needed to protect public places like hotels, restaurants and shopping centers.