Security system at vital assets still weak: Top security minister

Security system at vital assets still weak: Top security minister

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Vital assets and public places in the capital city of Jakarta are
still at risk of possible terror attacks due to the absence of
standard security equipment and systems, a top security minister
warns.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the existing security systems
at vital assets and public places were still inadequate because
of the lack of professional personnel, necessary equipment and
funds.

"The security system in state-owned installations and public
facilities is not adequate to protect them from possible
terrorist attacks, including the infiltration of terrorists into
vital facilities," he said when making a field inspection of the
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Cengkareng, west of here,
on Thursday.

The airport was one of three vital assets and public
facilities the minister visited. The two others were the House of
Representatives building and compound in Central Jakarta and the
state-owned Pertamina fuel depot in Plumpang, North Jakarta.

The police have warned of possible terror attacks in the city
following the recent arrest of the Mustofa-led cell of terrorist
group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) here and in Central Java. Countries
in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore and the
Philippines, are on red alert for similar reasons.

The airport is a vital installation since hundreds of planes
take off and land their daily, while thousands of passengers
travel to and from the airport almost every day.

Security at the airport has been heightened following a blast
that destroyed a room at a terminal on April 27 and injured
several people. Police are still investigating the incident.

Susilo said the safety of aero-catering service was also a top
priority because it could be used as a means to infiltrate the
airport to hijack planes or plant explosives in sensitive
locations in the vast area.

Susilo asserted that security personnel at the airport should
be professional in handling security problems, including terror
attacks.

He also expressed regret upon hearing complaints from security
personnel at the airport that most high-profile government
officials and VIP passengers frequently refuse to undergo a
tighter security check as they find it inconvenient.

Security authorities have also bolstered security at the House
compound on the eve of the Annual Session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) scheduled from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10. A
homemade bomb planted in the compound also exploded last month
but there were no casualties.

Susilo said that the fuel depot in Plumpang was included in
the list of terror targets but it was a key facility that
supported activities in the city and its outskirts and,
therefore, was a strategic asset that had to be protected with a
better security system.

"Any attack on this place (depot) will create social and
political instability," Susilo said.

Susilo and his entourage received reports from officials in
the three facilities that only 85 percent of all security
equipment in the locations was functioning.

The security facilities lacked skilled personnel, necessary
equipment such as close-circuit television (CCTV), censor devices
and metal detectors, he said.

Accompanying Susilo in the field inspection were Jakarta
Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso, Jakarta Police chief
Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara and also Insp. Gen. Ansjaad Mbai,
the head of the antiterrorist desk at the minister's office.

Susilo promised to propose a special budget to enhance the
security system in vital facilities and crowded public facilities
in the city "because the existing security system is still far
from perfect."

"It is important to improve people's awareness of security
issues because we all know the threat of terror attacks is
mounting, crimes are increasing and transnational crimes have
been on the rise (in the region).

"Therefore, we cannot assume that we are safe because certain
places here have been attacked," said the minister.