East Kalimantan Police ready to protect VICO
Thursday, October 25 2001 - 02:56 AM WIB
East Kalimantan Police Chief SY Wenas said Wednesday that the police was ready to protect businesses in the province including the asset of oil and gas firm VICO Indonesia.
Wenas was speaking at VICO local office during a visit to witness the handing of facilities to local police units in the province.
VICO Indonesia security manager Vincent Saragih said that there were several potential threats to the company?s operations including blockade by the people, labor issues and strike, sabotage, and embezzlement or stealing of assets.
?There are many potential threats. That?s why we request for the help of the police,? Vincent said.
Vice president Holand Simanjuntak said that under the current reform euphoria, there was a tendency in the public to claim assets belonging to foreign firms.
He said that if such a tendency or threat was not curbed it could create to both the companies and the government as evidenced in the case of ExxonMobil Indonesia in the restive Aceh province which had to stopped its gas operation for several months and loss overseas buyers.(*)