Living comfortably with 24-hour security

Living comfortably with 24-hour security

Debbie A. Lubis
Contributor
Jakarta

Serviced apartments have become a premier housing choice for
Vijay Ahmed since the insurance company he works for, assigned
him to work in Indonesia several months ago. His wife and
children decided to stay in Malaysia due to educational reasons.

"Serviced apartments offer a more affordable alternative than
a hotel room. Besides, I don't have to worry about utility
connections, furniture purchases, or hiring maids. I can enjoy
all the amenities of a home-like atmosphere here," he said
referring to his apartment located near the central business
district (CBD).

Business travelers and expatriates who are traveling to
Jakarta for vacation or for work, can enjoy spacious luxury of a
private residence with the service and security of a hotel by
renting serviced apartments for one night or years, without
worrying about kitchen appliances, paintings, lamps and other
decorations.

"People can lead an easy and enjoyable life in the apartment
because it has complete facilities, including sports. Its
proximity to most offices (CBD) gives people better access to
most places, so they can avoid traffic congestion, and save time.

Unlike living in a house, they also have better security and
do not have to think about the maintenance," said Fury Wardhana,
assistant marketing manager of commercial residences at PT.
Jakarta Setiabudi Internasional Tbk that runs Apartemen Kuningan.

Security has become a major concern of many apartment tenants.
Recent incidents like riots and the Bali bombings have made them
aware of the importance of 24-hour security. "I have lived in a
serviced apartment since the May 1998 Riots because I am afraid
that such things may recur and I do not want to be a victim of
xenophobia here," a tenant who declined to disclose her name
said.

To keep its tenants comfortable and secure, Apartemen Kuningan
has enhanced its security system by using metal detectors to
check all staff, tenants, guests, suppliers, as well as all
vehicles. The car's baggage and the sitting area are also checked
properly. The security staff regularly checks the apartment from
the basement to the roof, 24 hours a day.

"Our security guards are trained to deal with any emergency
situation efficiently. Not everyone can enter the building unless
they have an appointment and the guests can not enter the
apartment unless the tenant invites them in," Fury said.

Meanwhile, the Ascott Jakarta has instituted several measures
to enhance security such as limiting access of basement car parks
to tenants with valid car stickers only, installation of
additional security personnel to monitor entry and other
strategic points, use of cameras and other equipment to monitor
activities around the building.

"Being in a serviced residence business, the traffic of people
coming in and out of the building is limited to our residents and
staff which facilitates easier monitoring and control," Avelyn
Santiago, resident manager of the Ascott Jakarta said, adding
that "security" is one of the company's strong selling points.

The Ascott Group owns and manages properties under The Ascott
& Somerset brands. It has one-stop service for three properties
in Jakarta and two in Surabaya with networks in 12 countries.
Currently, its occupancy rate is very stable, above 80 percent on
average.

Menteng Executive also ensures its tenants' security by
checking every car, having the security guards go around the
building for 24 hours, and providing emergency doors. Herlina
Tamblin, the company's senior marketing executive, said that
every driver or maids working inside the building had to be
registered.

"They must wear their name tags while working," she said.
Security guarantee, service and strategic location have made
Menteng Executive able to maintain its occupancy rate up to 99
percent.

Security issues, however, do not impede the apartment
management from being optimistic in developing their business.
"We believe that the serviced apartment business will remain
stable with sustainable growth in the years to come," Santiago
said.

He added that the growth would be highly dependent upon the
alleviation of security concerns and stability of the political
climate, both of which will help fuel economic and foreign
investment growth in the country. "This will directly impact our
market niche which is heavily reliant on foreign arrivals
contemplating to stay and do business in Indonesia for at least a
year or more."

Sharing Santiago's view, Fury believed that the business would
continue to grow in years to come since the size of land is
limited. He admitted that incidents such as the Bali bombings
indeed affected the occupancy rate but other factors such as the
credibility of government, including their policy related to the
business sector (multi national companies) would also affect the
number of new tenants.

During holiday seasons occupancy goes down, he said. The
number of new tenants from October to December may decline
gradually up to 20 percent. It will increase again after New Year
until May before summer holidays.