SOEKARNO-HATTA AIRPORT SECURITY TIGHTENED

Tangerang, Aug 22 (ANTARA) - Airport management company PT Angkasa Pura-II is currently tightening security at the arrival and departure terminals of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport to anticipate terrorism.

PT Angakasa Pura-II spokesman Trisno Heryadi said here on Saturday the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport management was making every possible effort to prevent rather than having to experience terrorist acts.

"Me are taking preventive measures against terrorist acts around the airport," Trisno said, adding that the status of Soekarno-Hatta airport remained at alert level.

He said security standard at Soekarno-Hatta airport was intensified through meticulous checks to out and inbound passengers, their luggage, the cargo, even the cars which go in and out of the Jakarta's aerodrome.

In addition, Trisno said the airport management also posted security officials at every vital object and placed some 300 hidden cameras there.

According to him every passenger who wanted to leave Soekarno-Hatta airport had to undergo manual check from the head to the toes.

To step up the security at Soekarno-Hatta airport against the acts of terrorism, Trisno said PT Angakasa Pura-II made coordination with a number of related institutions such as National Police Headquarters, National Defense Forces (TNI) garrison, Military Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS), and State Intelligence Agency (BIN).

"In addition, we also mobilize our internal security personnel at the airport," Trisno said.

A number of parties said earlier that an alleged terrorist who was identified as Muhammad Syahrir alias Aing was attempting to wage terror in an airplane at the airport, because he used to work as a technician for one of airline companies in Indonesia.

Trisno said the threat of terrorism that can happen any time is a serious issue that has to be dealt with because it can tarnish the image of Indonesia and any affected country.

Therefore he said all parties should step up security cooperation to anticipate the act of terrorism in the country.