Standardized Security for Bali Hotels

(1/12/2004)

Bali's popular Chief of Police, Inspector General Made Mangku Pastika, used the opportunity of a ceremony marking the security certification of Bali's 4 and 5 star hotels to request more support from the hotel sector for the police in carrying out security enhancement programs.

As reported in the Indonesian-language Bali Post, the Security and Safety Standardization Program was the result of an intensive 3-month review carried out from September 23, 2003, at all 4 and 5 star hotels by the Bali Police. The review evaluated levels of security staffing, safety equipment, building condition, security software, and training standards.

Among the stipulated standards set by the Police is a requirement that hotels must employ a minimum of one security staff for every ten rooms offered for sale, while 5 star hotels are requested to install explosive detectors on their premises.

Hotel Certificates Issued

Of the 34 four and five star hotels reviewed, 29 received gold awards for their high compliance, while the remaining 5 were given silver awards. The Hotel Nikko Bali earned the highest rating (97.83), with the Four Seasons Resort (97.41) and Bali Cliff Resort (96.88) ranking second and third.

Certification is valid for one year with each property required to undergo annual re-inspection. A similar program for Bali's 1, 2, and 3 star hotels will commence in February 2004.

Police Chief Calls for More Solidarity on Security

The award ceremony was a simple affair held at the Bali Police headquarters. Chief Pastika pointed to the lack of a sponsor from among the local hotels for the award ceremony as indicative of the lack of support for security concerns among local hoteliers. Saying that security is ignored whenever the times are normal, he warned that security standards are beginning to slip. Chief Pastika told of complaints he received from visitors regarding hotels that fail to implement visible terrorist counter-measures.