Surabaya residents hire extra guards for holiday

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post/Surabaya

Extra security guards were hired by many housing complexes in Surabaya as home owners sought peace of mind while celebrating Idul Fitri back in their hometowns.

Prior to the annual exodus, a number of housing complexes hired ordinary people to provide extra security alongside the regular security guards.

"Since the prices of basic necessities shot up following the fuel price increases, tenants leaving for their hometowns are more worried about security. In previous years there have been many thefts, so imagine now with the prices of basic necessities on the rise," said Putu, a neighborhood chief in a housing complex in Sidoarjo, Surabaya.

Putu said that during last year's Idul Fitri, residents trusted a couple of security guards to protect their houses, but this year were afraid to leave their houses unguarded.

One resident, he added, had hired several watchmen to guard his house.

Iqbal, 30, who lives in Buduran, Sidoarjo, is one of those people who have been recruited as an additional security guard for a salary of Rp 50,000 (US$5) per day.

Carrying several books and a pen, without a uniform or any sort of security equipment, Iqbal did his rounds in a housing complex in Sidoarjo.

Iqbal and three of his friends were hired to assist four regular security guards at the complex.

"For the sake of security during Idul Fitri, I was hired by the management of the housing complex to keep a record of residents who have left for their hometowns. I will work here until a week after the Idul Fitri holiday," he told The Jakarta Post.

Residents who travel for the holiday can pay a fee of Rp 20,000 to have their houses watched over while they are gone. Residents can even contact the security guards, who have been provided with cell phones, for daily updates on their homes.

"We have noted the telephone numbers of the tenants who are away and are ready to report on the situation with their homes," said Iqbal.

Working as security guards in a housing complex during the Idul Fitri holiday is a new experience for Iqbal and his three friends. Although the work can be taxing, he feels fortunate to be able to earn some money during the holiday.

Rosihan, 55, another extra security guard, feels the same. He is prepared to protect residents' houses for Rp 70,000 per day.

Unlike Iqbal, who is inexperienced in the field, Rosihan is a retired security guard and is paid more than Iqbal because of his experience.

"The money is pretty good. I am willing to skip the Idul Fitri celebrations to make some money," he said.