The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation has instructed operators and management of airports in the country to boost airport security to prevent any eventuality, including smuggling of goods.

On the sidelines of his visit to Kualanamu airport in Medan, North Sumatra, Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan said he had issued a number of instructions and requested measures to be taken to increase security at airports.

For some reason he was unable to explain about them, he said. "I could not explain them in detail to you," he said to newsmen.

He hoped community members would help support the governments efforts by reporting to the authorities anything suspicious.

"They must report to the security authorities if they see anything suspicious," he said.

When asked about the long queues that would occur due to tightening of checks, the minister said, he hoped people would understand.

"For the sake of everyone's security, if you have to queue up you must," he said.

During the ministers visit, a number of military personnel were seen standing guard in front of the airport.

Besides tactical vehicles, the Mobile Brigade of the North Sumatra regional police command has also made available a bomb-defusing vehicle at the location.
 

Source: ANTARA