Sutiyoso and Edi to hold talks with city police chief

JAKARTA (JP): Due to the worsening security condition in the capital, Governor Sutiyoso and City Council speaker Edi Waluyo have agreed to soon hold a meeting with the Jakarta Police to further discuss ways to improve overall security.

Speaking separately to reporters on Tuesday, both Sutiyoso and Edi said they had sent an official invitation to Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nurfaizi for the meeting, but it has been abruptly canceled following the dismissal of Nurfaizi's superior, National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo.

The date for the next meeting has yet to be set but it is expected to be held soon.

According to Sutiyoso, the city police should not only investigate the series of bomb attacks in Jakarta but also establish a comprehensive security system involving all parties, such as the general public and the military's intelligence officers.

He added that people currently lack trust in the security officers in Jakarta.

"I really hope the city police would have better coordination (with the city administration and other related parties) because the public has become very concerned.

"Even my official residence has been further secured with three more city military command personnel," said the retired three-star Army general.

Sharing Sutiyoso's opinion, council speaker Edi Waluyo underlined that the recent bombings, which have yet to be solved, have caused anxiety about security in the capital.

"The police should realize that the public, including us, the councilors, are very concerned about the present circumstance.

"The police force, therefore, should improve their performance otherwise the public will not have any confidence in them," Edi said.

The latest bomb attack that rocked Jakarta occurred last Wednesday at the basement parking lot of the 34-story Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) building in South Jakarta, leaving at least 11 people killed and some 30 others injured.

In anticipation of possible security threats at their premises, operators of several shopping centers, hotels and offices in the capital have further tightened their security systems.

The management of Plaza Indonesia shopping center in Central Jakarta, for example, have ordered their security personnel to check all vehicles entering its parking lots with metal detectors to ferret any bombs placed inside the cars.

At each entrance of the Plaza, four security officers were seen, on Tuesday, checking every car thoroughly, including the baggage compartments.

According to a security staffer Muklis T.A., the tight security policy has been carried out since Thursday, or a day after the powerful blast at the JSX.

The management, he added, have also decided to extend the working hours of its 174 security officers at the shopping mall in an attempt to have more security personnel at the complex during rush hours.

"Luckily, most of our patrons are not complaining about the security arrangement although they have to stay in line for sometime, especially during weekends," Muklis said.

He also said that the management was planning to purchase bomb blankets to cover objects suspected to be explosives and further train its officers in anticipating bomb threats.

"Each metal detector would cost around Rp 7 million (US$815) while the bomb blankets along with the life-protection jackets would cost us hundreds of millions of rupiah," Muklis added.

The JSX building is using three specially trained dogs to check the whole building and metal detectors to inspect every person entering the building.

Unconfirmed reports stated that some five-star hotels in the capital have hired foreign experts to design their security systems and train security officers when dealings with emergency situations.

Meanwhile, the City Police public counseling chief, Sr. Supt. Siswo Adiwinoto urged the management of high-rise buildings to install telephones that could identify each incoming call and metal detectors to secure the buildings. (dja)