Jakartans differ over services of 'satpam'

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)