by Dames Alexander Sinaga
JAKARTA, May 5 (NNN-XINHUA) – Preparations are now ready, to secure and facilitate the 42nd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will be convened in the Indonesian resort spot of Labuan Bajo, next week.
Indonesia, the largest economy in the region, is chairing ASEAN this year, with the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” The country has chosen Labuan Bajo, which is the gateway to the popular Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, for the gathering, to promote it as a travel destination for international tourists.
The country’s National Police Chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo, arrived at Labuan Bajo on Wednesday and inspected a command centre and other high-level security preparations at areas that will be used for the bloc’s meetings.
“Airport, accommodations, as well as, places for the meeting agendas are all monitored and supervised. Field officers are all connected to the command centre,” he told local media.
In an official statement, released yesterday, Sigit said, the police will provide protection and oversight from the points of arrival, transfer, to the main venue of the summit.
The special security scheme, called Operation Komodo, involved more than 2,600 police personnel, with the assistance of over 3,000 soldiers of the Indonesian Military. Armoured personnel carriers, helicopters, as well as, warships will also be sent to the location.
According to the National Police, facial recognition technology will be used in the operation, and the public was encouraged to take notice of the temporary traffic modifications in Labuan Bajo.
Indonesian Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, recently made a working visit to Labuan Bajo to inspect the preparedness of local hospitals, in order to meet the needs of delegates participating in the summit.
A cardiac catheterisation laboratory, a special room for rescuing people with heart disease or stroke, has been put in place, in case of an emergency situation.
According to the National Committee for the 42nd ASEAN Summit, the media centre will operate from tomorrow to May 12, with various facilities for media coverage, including workspaces, press conference rooms, mini studios, and internet networks. The media centre will distribute press releases, photos, and video feeds from the summit venues to journalists.
The committee recorded 319 registered and accredited journalists, consisting of local, national, ASEAN regional, and global media workers.
“We want the standard of media services at the ASEAN Summit to be on par with last year’s G20 Summit in Bali, by adjusting to the conditions of Labuan Bajo,” Johnny Gerard Plate, Indonesia’s Communications and Informatics Minister, who is also in charge of Communication and Public Relations in the national committee for the summit, said.
During the ASEAN Summit, held in Cambodia last year, the leaders of the group agreed “in principle” to admit Timor-Leste as their 11th member.– NNN-X8INHUA
