'Pecalang', UN security guards join hands to safeguard Nusa Dua

'Pecalang', UN security guards join hands to safeguard Nusa Dua

Tradition and modernity join hands to safeguard Nusa Dua

A'an Suryana The Jakarta Post Nusa Dua, Bali

Made and Moore appear in stark contrast to each other. Made, a native Balinese man, wears a traditional sarong and is armed with a kris, while Inspector Phyllis Moore, a UN security official wears an elegant blue uniform, is equipped with a modern gun and a pair of handcuffs.

Made rarely steps into luxury hotels and buildings like the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), the venue of the current Preparatory Committee IV Meeting for Sustainable Development.

In contrast, Moore is more likely to be a frequent guest at five-star hotels or other such buildings in New York City.

However, both Made and Moore currently hold similar duties -- to safeguard the UN-sponsored meeting currently being held at BICC. Made is a member of the Pecalang traditional Balinese security guards, while Moore is the chief security officer for the UN.

But, who dares to question the presence of Made, a humble pecalang (traditional security guard) from Nusa Dua, Bali, in safeguarding the event? As a member of Bualu, Nusa Dua banjar (neighborhood organization), Made is in charge of security in his banjar. In Bali, every banjar is guarded by a number of pecalang who are elected by the entire village.

While, as a pecalang, Made is only allowed to stay outside the main venue of BICC, Made is actually on duty to protect Bali, his homeland, and Indonesia as the host country of this important UN- sponsored meeting.

"If something happens during the event, the reputation of Bali, as the safest place in Indonesia, will be ruined. And that will certainly affect our tourist industry," explained Made.

Moore, on the other hand, confirmed that since the United Nations is sponsoring the meeting, it is the body's responsibility to safeguard both the UN staff and participants coming from around the world. The UN security team is also responsible for protecting UN property.

"From the moment the meeting began, the venue has become UN Territory. That's why we are all here," confirmed Moore.

To safeguard the meeting, the UN has brought 25 personnel; 20 from the UN Headquarters in New York and five from its office in Bangkok.

Bjoern Naus, a member of the UN's security team from Norway, however, said that it is common for the UN security team to safeguard UN-sponsored meetings held anywhere in the world.

"It is one of the security procedures of the United Nations," noted Naus who joined the team in l998 as a member of the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Bosnia.

Naus went on to say that anybody in the world could become a member of the UN Security team, as long as they meet all the requirements set by the United Nations.

Naus added he loves his current job very much. "I am able to meet a lot of people from various countries with diverse social, religious and cultural backgrounds," he explained.

Here in Bali, Naus and his colleagues from the UN security team are working with the Indonesian police, some of them are in plainclothes, to safeguard the venue, both inside and outside, and its adjacent area.

The UN Security Team and the Indonesian police start work at 7 a.m and are on duty until 11 p.m., when they are replaced by the Indonesian police.

"I love to be here, but it is a pity that we don't have time to enjoy the beauty of the island," Naus regretted.

The security of the ongoing Prep Com IV meeting is everybody's concern, as over 6,000 participants, including 300 ministers from 189 countries, are now attending the meeting from May 27 through June 7.

There were concerns circulating that the event, the largest ever held in the country, might be disrupted by protests, including those from fundamentalist groups and possible violent protests from members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The possible presence of Israeli delegates has also stirred strong reactions from a number of Muslim fundamentalist groups, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI). FPI objected to the participation of Israeli delegates in the conference due to Israel's recent action in Palestine.

As a result, the Indonesian authorities have tightened security measures, deploying at least 5,000 security personnel, mainly from the police force.

These official security personnel are being helped by hundreds of pecalang, security personnel from BICC and UN security personnel.

The police force held their last rehearsal in Niti Mandala Renon field in Denpasar last Friday, under the supervision of National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar.

The police force is operating both in uniform and plainclothes, said Adj. Comr. Dicky Sondani, senior police officer in charge of safeguarding BICC.

Sr. Comr. Eddy Kusuma, the Bali Police's chief of detectives, added the police have installed two pieces of X-Ray equipment and eight metal detectors at BICC. Four of the eight metal detectors were procured from Jakarta Military Command and the others were borrowed from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.

However, it is apparently not enough. BICC management has also stepped up security measures due to the event.

"Normally, we only have 12 security personnel. But, especially for this event, we have tightened security measures by hiring another 11 temporary security personnel," said I Nyoman Beker, deputy chief of security at BICC.