HSBC, embassies take precautions
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Hong Kong's HSBC headquarters has stepped up security.
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HONG KONG/JAKARTA (Reuters) -- At the glass and chrome tower designed by Norman Foster as the Hong Kong home of HSBC Bank, clients sign in as usual and the tightened security is discreet to the point of invisibility.
Asia was already vigilant, now it is even more careful.
A day after two suicide bombings in Istanbul killed 27 and wounded 400 when they devastated the HSBC Bank building and the British consulate, it was business as usual at the bank's Hong Kong headquarters.
Throughout a region already hit by terrorist bombings and on the alert for more, security had moved up a notch Friday, whether at HSBC offices or 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 Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda as a prime target for its attacks, officials at HSBC Tokyo branches checked bags of customers and shutters were pulled down to prevent entrance to car parks. Police cars patrolled the streets.
"Security has been stepped up because of the terrorist attack," said a bank official who declined to be identified.
At the British embassy, security topped the agenda.
"We are reviewing security at the moment," said embassy spokeswoman Joanna Roper. "We want to complete the process quickly."
In Southeast Asia, security has been a priority since Singapore uncovered an al Qaeda plot in December 2001 to bomb the U.S. 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.
Car, parcel alert
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, no outward signs of additional security at HSBC's country headquarters were visible. The bank's ground floor windows are already boarded up and entry has been limited due to the frequent protests in Manila's financial district.
"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."
With the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan just days away, Pakistan increased police patrols to check vehicles. Security was tightened for possible protests after prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan, a police spokesman said.
"Islamabad already has very high security but since last night we have increased it further," the spokesman said.
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. "It is a matter that we have taken extremely seriously and we have extensive measures to protect our colleagues and customers worldwide."
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.
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Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
