HONG KONG/JAKARTA, Nov 21: A day after two suicide bombings in Istanbul killed 27 and wounded 400, security throughout the region including Pakistan has been moved up, whether at HSBC offices or at British embassies.
“We remain very vigilant, we are well prepared and we are going to step up our defences,” said Hong Kong Chief Secretary Donald Tsang.
“We have heightened security in many sensitive areas,” a Hong Kong police spokeswoman said. “The fact that you don’t see police around doesn’t mean we aren’t stepping up security. We can’t comment in detail on added security measures.”
In Japan, recently named by Al Qaeda as a prime target for its attacks, officials at HSBC Tokyo offices checked bags of those entering and lowered shutters to prevent entry to a car park. Police cars patrolled the streets.
At the British embassy, security topped the agenda.
“We are reviewing security at the moment,” said spokeswoman Joanna Roper. “We want to complete the process quickly.”
In Pakistan, police patrols have been increased to check vehicles.
Security was tightened for possible protests after prayers on the last Friday of Ramazan, a police spokesman said.
In Southeast Asia, security has been a priority since Singapore uncovered an al Qaeda plot in December 2001 to bomb the US embassy and the Australian and British High Commissions. The following October, 202 people were killed in the bombings of two bars on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali.
CHECKING:Under the watchful eye of an armed Gurkha soldier, cars were being stopped and checked at the barricaded entrance to the British High Commission in Singapore.
In Jakarta, British Ambassador Richard Gozney told Reuters the embassy had reviewed security “especially the security of the Consulate General, which is being further tightened. The embassy continues to work very closely with the Jakarta police”.
“We are trying to guard most of all against car bomb or parcel bomb attacks,” he said.
HSBC’s main office in Jakarta was “running as usual”, HSBC spokesman Agung Laksamana said.
In Manila, there were no visible signs of additional security at HSBC’s Philippines headquarters.
“Our offices are on a high state of security alert and measures are being taken,” said Laine Santana, assistant vice president for public affairs. “It’s business as usual though.”
China, too, was leaving nothing to chance.
“HSBC’s offices worldwide are on a high state of security alert. We are taking stringent measures to protect our staff and customers worldwide,” said HSBC spokeswoman Dan Dan Chang.
“All (offices in China) are complying,” Chang said. “We do have security guards on the ground. Today all offices in China are vigilant.” The Indian capital was also vigilant.
“We are on high alert for several months now but when something like Istanbul happens, people down the line are sensitised, vigilance tightened,” said Special Police Commissioner S.K.Kain.
Australia may seem far from Turkey, but there, too, banks were taking precautions.
“We are in a high state of security alert,” said HSBC spokesman Andrew Donohoe.
Underlining a feeling of insecurity down under, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer warned Australian rugby fans overseas to beware of potential terror attacks when gathering in bars and clubs to watch Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final between Australia and England.—Reuters