Jakartans differ over services of 'satpam'
JAKARTA (JP): Some might say that hiring a satpam or a personal bodyguard is just a waste of money. But they will change their mind when their family or property is attacked.
The Jakarta Post asked people what they think.
Fitri, a high school student who lives in affluent Menteng, Central Jakarta:
"My parents have four guards to ensure that our household stays in touch with what's going on in the neighborhood. None of us really socialize with one another in this neighborhood but we still need to know what is happening around us, and our security guards do a great job in terms of keeping us informed. They work in shifts, so we're always safe. Our maids can't do this job, because they have so many household affairs to tend to."
Col. Paimin Abuamr, head of the Jakarta crime investigation directorate:
"I don't have any bodyguards because I believe that I have no problems with other people. But all of my 900 detectives in this city should know what to do if something happened to me."
Indro, a lawyer who lives with his wife in the elite housing complex of Pondok Indah, South Jakarta:
"My family decided to employ security guards because the neighborhood has an aura of seclusion -- and is vulnerable to crime. People seem to mind their own business, and I feel better knowing that I have people to guard my house.
"Our security guards often assume other household duties, like tending the garden, cleaning the car or driving the children around. They should have a chance to experience other things outside the house -- the job is pretty tedious."
Ongky, a businessman, lives on Jl. Gereja Theresia in Central Jakarta:
"I hire security guards to keep up with my neighbors. My family and I are rarely at home while countless people go down this street night and day, and we feel safer employing security guards."
Mulyana W. Kusumah, criminologist and lawyer:
"We don't have a satpam in our new office because there is nothing much here."
Edy, a security guard who has worked for 10 years at PT Gramedia:
"It has been pretty boring, nothing exciting has happened to me yet. I guess I'm lucky to be stationed in a safe place. I'm quite happy, but I don't intend to go into retirement as a security guard. I'm saving money to start a small business in my wife's village in Jambi. I will be starting again from scratch."
Nurlela Hariyati, a housewife and staff at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute:
"Jakarta is relatively safe if you know how to look after yourself. Only those who are not confident will feel that this city is a terribly dangerous place to live in. People with money may have more to worry about than those who don't have much to lose. You don't need any particular precautions, just use some common sense, and avoid places known to be dangerous during certain hours."
Yuli, a university student:
"My mother's excessive fear of crime has affected me to the point that I'm afraid to travel alone at night. Whenever I go out at night, my parents insist I take their handphone along. Most of my friends understand and will accompany me home. I know that life is unpredictable, but... I guess I just want to be careful. I blame the mass media for going on about crime too much." (14/bsr/pwn)