TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (Inasgoc) has barred Asian Games spectators from carrying backpacks and any other large bags for security reasons.
“This regulation is the international standard for security,” Inasgoc spokesman Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said at Pondok Indah Golf Course, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta on Monday, August 6, 2018.
Sjafrie added the regulation affected all venues in Jakarta, Palembang and West Java, and that there would be no deposit counters at the venues.
“Our personnel are not tasked to secure backpacks, but rather people checking in and out,” he said. “This info has to be disseminated to would-be spectators.”
Read: Free Transjakarta Bus Ride at Weekends during Asian Games
South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Indra Jafar said this regulation sought to keep any dangerous materials from entering the venues. “People could bring in improper objects, such as explosives or bladed weapons. So there is this prohibition,” Indra said.
The 2018 Asian Games will take place in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18-September 2. Over half of the countries in the Asia continent have aired their readiness to vie in the largest sporting event in Asia.
Commenting on security measures during the Asian Games, National Police Deputy Chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin said the committee would involve over 60,000 joint personnel from the police, the military, and the civil society.
“The personnel will be stationed proportionally in Palembang and Jakarta,” Syafruddin said.
SYAFIUL HADI
