Tight security draws criticism

JAKARTA: Journalists and visitors have complained over tight security measures introduced in the wake of a minor blast that rocked the General Elections Commission (KPU) building last Monday.

Journalists and visitors alike had, in the last four days, been subjected to a thorough security check, including metal detection and an identification check.

Irked journalists, who resented the "inconvenience", made a written statement on Friday to the KPU secretariat general to ease the measures.

KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti, however, defended the tight measures.

"Our (security) is too relaxed compared to that of other countries' elections commissions," he said. -- JP