Transport Minister Calls for Tighter SecurityScreening in Harbors

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan has asked port authorities to implement more stringent security screening measures across ports and harbours across Indonesia. Jonan said that passengers should at least be required to pass a metal detector screening prior to entering the departures holding area.

"We are gradually tightening up our security screening process across all ports in Indonesia," said Jonan in Balikpapan's Semayang Harbour on Friday, June 17, 2016.

Jonan praised the security screening procedure that has been implemented in Semayang Harbour, but also took the time to call out on officers that are still unused to effectively utilising security screening equipment that has been made available to their disposal. "These officers should be thoroughly trained - they could be trained by authorities at Balikpapan's Sepinggan Airport who are already used to a more stringent screening procedure," he said.

Jonan said that a tighter security screening procedure will benefit passenger as it allows port authorities to better ensure the safety of all passengers passing through Indonesia's ports and harbours.

The Minister also hoped that in the future, Indonesia's ports and harbours should have jetty bridges installed in order to allow passengers to embark and disembark in greater comfort. "It does not have to be as sophisticated as the ones we have installed in Makassar - the point is, passenger comfort should be prioritised," said Jonan.

SG WIBISONO