basfinsiregar.com

I met this diplomat from one of European countries at Starbucks several days ago. He was about 30 something years old, and has been in Jakarta for two and half years (his previous post was Washington, DC, US).

The atmosphere was nice. I paid for my own meal and so did he. After the “main course” (the key talk between us, which was confidential so I wouldnt disclose it), came the chit-chat. The general, usual, talk.

I asked him where he stayed. “Borobudur hotel,” he replied.

He said he was concerned with bombings in Indonesia. Bali, Marriott hotel, and Australian embassy were all hit. Those bombings make him want to choose a considerably safe hotel to live in Jakarta.

So why Borobudul hotel? What’s so safe about it?

And here comes his answer. “‘coz it’s owned by Tomy Winata,” he said.

I couldnt help feeling so amazed. I never thought like that before.

If you dont know Tomy Winata, you wont’ understand the logic behind his decision. Tomy Winata is a controversial Indonesian tycoon, a real-estate mogul and the boss of Arthagraha group. He’s famous for having extensive contacts in the military and police force. In 2003 interview with Gatra, he said that he employed about 600 ex-military officers (middle rank) in his various companies.

He also employed ex-criminals. Slamet Gundul, one of the biggest robbers in Indonesian crime history, after released from jail, was reportedly to get a job in Tomy’s house as his security-chief.

When asked why he employed ex-criminals, his answer was “if I dont employ them, who would? Should we just let them go back to their old crime job?”

Simply said, he’s a powerful figure. People fear him, respect him. You may say he’s a kinda godfather.

(He also said he has certain principles. In the interview, Tomy stressed that he doesnt employ “ex-drugs dealer and ex-rapist”, coz drug is addictive, and rape is immoral - and he would be glad to be notified if there are ones among his employees)

He’s also very rich. In 1994, he was he was among one of the 12 biggest Indonesian tax-payers. And he’s of course not an easy opponent. Read a piece here by Laksamana.net summarizing the fight between Tomy Winata and Tempo magazine.

So then, do you think the diplomat’s calculation is right? That living in Borobodur hotel is considerably safe from bombing?

Well, the truth is he might be right. Considering Tomy’s extensive contacts in the police force, his understanding about security matter, Borobudur hotel might be not an easy target for terrorists attack - in this case, Islamic terrorists.

In fact, I think some westerners - if they know well the political situation in Jakarta - share his view. I just googled this website and found a user said “The Borobudur hotel backs directly up to a small army garrison at its rear fence.. probably the safest hotel in Jakarta…(2004).”

If you can afford a five-star hotel, and are concerned about safety from suicide bombings in Jakarta, well, give Borobudur hotel a go. I’m sure it’s safe.

But actually I do have a second opinion. I dont think I’ll recommend Borobudur. I will recommend Sofyan Hotel instead - insyaallah you’ll be safer, hehe..

So what’s so safe about Sofyan hotel?

Simple. It’s an “lslamic hotel”. It’s a three-star hotel founded in 1992, claiming to be the first and the best hotel implementing the shariah (haiyaa! damn! can I get my chicks to that hotel? hell you cant!)

The hotel got a certification from Indonesia National Shariah Board in 2003. They dont provide pork. They dont provide bar, discotheque, music club, even salon (coz those facilites tend to be non-islamic, hehe..)

So what do they provide? Rooms and restaurants, of course - and other Islamic facilities.

Well, I know for some westerners who tend to consider bar and discotheque “an inherent part” of a hotel, Sofyan hotel is too spartan. The atmosphere might be too conservative.

But that’s their strengh, their distinguished product. I for example dont really like bar or discotheque, so the omission is fine with me. And dont think they accept muslims only. Non-muslims, even westerners, are also welcomed. In fact, in terms of atmosphere, I think conservative Christians would find Sofyan hotel okay.

One more thing. You cant bring your chicks and stay in the same room at Sofyan. If you’re not legally married, you’ll be asked to take two separate rooms.

(Though I think it will be relatively easy to sneak into your girl’s room once you’re inside).

In case there’s a massive suicide attack from Islamic terrorists targetting hotels in Jakarta (this is just a silly imagination, and surely would not happen) I think Sofyan hotel has a great chance to survive.

I remember there’s an old wisdom saying “the best place to hide a log is in the woods”. So, I guess the best hotel to avoid Islamic terrorist’s bombings is an Islamic hotel.