Military reassures foreigners about personal safety<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
\nSjamsoeddin has guaranteed the security of foreigners living and
\nworking in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"I can assure foreigners not to worry about staying in Jakarta
\nbecause we will continue taking responsibility for their
\nsecurity,\" Sjafrie told reporters Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta authorities have also been \"pretty sure that this
\ncity is still safe and under control,\" Sjafrie said after
\nattending the last day of the massive three-day military exercise
\nto demonstrate the security forces' readiness to safeguard next
\nmonth's general session of the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
During the general session starting on March 1, the 1,000-
\nmember Assembly will meet to elect a president and approve the
\nbroad government policy outlines for the next five years.<\/p>\n
Several foreign embassies in Jakarta, worried about the
\ncountry's major economic woes and soaring unemployment which, in
\nturn, could spark social unrest, have reportedly issued
\ncontingency plans for the safety of their respective citizens.<\/p>\n
However, the move was seen by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas last
\nmonth as an understandable emergency step.<\/p>\n
Many expatriates have already left Indonesia. But this is seen
\nas more due to the financial inability of local companies to hire
\nthem than because the individuals were worried about the
\ncapital's security.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie said foreigners and locals alike should therefore
\ncontinue their routine activities without worrying about security
\nand not to believe groundless rumors.<\/p>\n
\"Rumors and provocation can only spark public misery,\"
\nreminded Sjafrie, who is also head of the Jakarta chapter of the
\nCoordinating Board for National Stability.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five thousand personnel from all four branches of the
\nArmed Forces took part in the Saturday morning exercise led by
\nArmed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung at the Senayan East
\nParking Lot in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The three-day display of military muscle in the capital has
\nbeen seen by many as a clear warning to people not to attempt to
\ndisrupt the Assembly's meeting.<\/p>\n
The security authorities have been on alert to crack down on
\ndisturbances as a result of the ongoing economic crisis, which
\nhas seen skyrocketing unemployment and prices of goods and
\nservices in many cities, including Jakarta.<\/p>\n
City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, who also attended the
\nweekend's drill, reminded non-Jakartans who might be attempting
\nto spark disorder in the capital to halt their plans.<\/p>\n
\"We have cooperated with police from the neighboring regions,
\nsuch as West Java, Central Java and Lampung to monitor the influx
\nof people heading to Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, non-Jakarta residents who have nothing to do in
\nthis city, particularly if they just intend to cause chaos,
\nplease do not come to the capital,\" Hamami told reporters.<\/p>\n
Sjafrie said his personnel have also been deployed in certain
\nplaces in neighboring provinces to help local residents monitor
\nsuspicious groups in their districts. (bsr\/jun)<\/p>",
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