Sutiyoso wants 24-hour security for the capital

JAKARTA (JP): Distressed over the seeming lack of security and law enforcement in the capital, Governor Sutiyoso said he had to send an official letter to President B.J. Habibie begging for a full 24-hour security patrol in certain locations in Jakarta.

In a breaking-the-fast gathering with media executives at his official residence in Central Jakarta last night, the former Jakarta military commander said he finally decided to write the letter due to the hostile day-to-day situation here.

"The capital has become alarming on a day to day basis," he said, referring to the escalating number of crimes, including arson, looting, armed robberies, brawls and bomb threats.

In his letter he asked the President to deploy as many security officers as possible in order to safeguard crime- vulnerable properties, particularly in the business and shopping centers.

According to Sutiyoso, himself an active three-star Army general, such requests for 24-hour security are "common in such abnormal situations."

"It's the obligation of the central government to provide top security to the people of Jakarta. So far, it seems that the security provided by the central government has not been enough," the governor stressed.

In the past few months, he said, many Jakarta entrepreneurs had become victims in various situations due to the absence of an adequate number of security personnel.

Among the latest disturbances witnessed by the capital were the Nov. 22 Ketapang riots in West Jakarta and the Jan. 2 strong bomb blast at a department store on Jl. Sabang in Central Jakarta.

Besides claiming a number of lives, this series of incidents in the capital has unnerved many residents of Jakarta, which has been dubbed 'the city of fear'.

It remains unknown whether Sutiyoso's request would be fulfilled by Habibie because many provinces -- facing the same problems -- might also ask the same thing.

The ceremony last night was attended by -- among others -- noted novelist La Rose and senior journalist Rosihan Anwar. (ind/bsr)