Security firms offer more services, trained personnel

Abdul Khalik and Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The feeling of insecurity due to the fear of a potential terrorist attack or robbery in the capital has apparently been seen as an opportunity for some, in particular, companies providing security services.

Hundreds of security companies in Jakarta have even enrolled their staff in basic training offered by the Jakarta Police on handling terror threats.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. I Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said that most security guards in the capital had been given more basic training on how to recognize criminal behavior and steps to take to minimize the possibility of bomb attacks.

"We give additional training on bomb detection in their training. Most companies that ask us to train their security guards also demand that we give additional training on terrorist threats and bomb detecting," Ketut told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Jakarta has been rocked by a series of deadly terrorist attacks in the last few years, including the 2003 JW Marriott Hotel attack, which claimed 12 lives and the 2004 bombing outside the Australian Embassy that killed 11 people.

Ketut said that all security guards in Indonesia should join the training conducted by the police to be able to be certified.

The training, he said, included the use of metal detectors, recognizing suspected terrorists, effective body and car searches, steps to handle bomb threat and how to calm people down during bomb threat.

Meanwhile, more security firms now provide training for their security personnel in bomb detection besides traditional skills, such as martial arts and using firearms.

Toto Trihamtoro, an owner of a security firm and president of the Indonesian chapter of the Regional Asian Professional Security Association, said that security personnel should be trained in antiterror skills.

"Security guards must not only be armed with explosives detectors, but also the knowledge of the characteristics of terrorists so that they can prevent them from executing the attack," said Toto, who has been in the business since 1997.

He warned people to select a security company carefully keeping in mind that there are some 300 security companies here.

"Only around 20 of the some 300 security companies really offer professional services, while only a few security companies provide their personnel with knowledge of antiterror tactics," said Toto, who is also president director of PT Putratama Bhakti Satria, which operates Protecom security services.

He said that security response, a new service of his company, had began attracting many people, mostly foreigners.

Clients can contact the firm any time they have a problem. "People who have registered as our clients can contact us at our command center any time if they have a problem like robbery, fire, or traffic accidents," said Toto.

"Many rich people prefer to use the security response program rather than 24-hour security because it is cheaper," Toto said, adding that the membership fee is Rp 250,000 (US$25) per month.

Members will be charged an additional fee if they call the command center.

Susanto of PT Bravo Satria Perkasa (BSP), which now supplies security personnel to 42 companies across the country, said his company was ready to provide consultancy, security system, VIP protection, security technology, training for security personnel, security investigations and guard dogs.