Police award security certificates to hotels in Bali

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Made Mangku Pastika handed over on Friday safety and security certificates to 34 four- and five- star hotels, after a one-month evaluation on security and safety by the police.

"Obtaining the certificates means that the hotels have the capability to provide their guests with services in a safe and secure environment," Pastika said after the award ceremony, held at the Bali Police Headquarters.

Twenty-nine hotels were awarded golden certificates, the highest level in safety and security preparedness, while five others were awarded silver certificates.

Nikko Bali Resort and Spa, Four Seasons Resort Bali and Bali Cliff Resort ranked the top three most secure hotels. They respectively scored 97.83, 97.41 and 96.88 out of 100 during the evaluation by the police.

"The program has objectives like, among other things, creating a high level of security awareness and to provide a sense of security to guests," Pastika stressed.

Evaluation was carried out by a team of nine security experts from the local police. The team assessed the number and quality of hotel security personnel, equipment, facilities, infrastructure and training.

The team is set to evaluate 66 one- and two-star hotels in February through April.

There are 1,381 hotels in Bali.

Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairman I Gde Wiratha said the program was the first of its kind in Indonesia. The program was held after a terrorist attack two years ago in Bali, which killed more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists.