Govt preparing decree on security for energy, mining projects

The government is drafting a decree on security for vital projects in oil and gas, mining and electricity sectors, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said Wednesday.

It would take the form of presidential decree, Purnomo said after meeting with military and police officers, and officials of oil and gas and mining firms operating in the country.

?The presidential decree will for instance stipulate military and police units which need to be dispatched to certain troubled areas,? the minister told reporters.

Purnomo said further the police would next week invite officials of oil and gas and mining firms to a meeting in Bogor, West Java, to discuss procedures of maintaining peace and security in their areas of operation.

Worries about new terrorist attacks are rising in Indonesia following last week?s bloody bomb blast at the five-star JW Mariott hotel in central Jakarta, which had been frequented by Americans and other foreigners.

The bomb attack killed at least 10 people and injured over 100. (godang)