Nation braces for massive protests<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
City police are tightening up security in the capital, especially
\nat 14 places that are likely to be targets of protesters out to
\noppose a government plan to raise fuel prices on Oct. 1.<\/p>\n
Besides securing the streets, police have also deployed several
\nofficers to guard each of some 200 gas stations in the capital to
\nensure that all of them serve motorists as usual.<\/p>\n
City police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said Wednesday that
\npolice have deployed around 5,500 personnel from various units,
\nincluding the antiriot unit, mobile brigade, intelligence and
\ndetective units, at 14 strategic locations.<\/p>\n
\"Upon receiving intelligence reports we decided to focus on
\nthese 14 places as we believe that most protesters will
\nconcentrate at those places,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The 14 places included the Presidential Palace in Central
\nJakarta, which was guarded by some 1,200 personnel, and the House
\nof Representatives (DPR) building, which was secured
\nby 374 personnel.<\/p>\n
State oil company Pertamina's station in Plumpang, North
\nJakarta, an area near the Christian University of Indonesia (UKI)
\nin East Jakarta and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central
\nJakarta, were guarded by 440, 270 and 173 personnel respectively.<\/p>\n
Other areas being given special security attention included
\nthe Golkar Party's national headquarters in Slipi, West Jakarta;
\nthe area near the Islamic State University (UIN) in Ciputat in
\nSouth Jakarta; Semanggi and the Istiqlal Mosque, both in Central
\nJakarta; the Vice President's office and residence, both in
\nCentral Jakarta; and Tugu Tani, Harmoni and Pecenongan, all in
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The House voted to raise fuel prices on Tuesday in order to
\nsave the country's budget from blowing out. Vice President Jusuf
\nKalla said earlier that prices of heavily-subsidized fuel would
\nincrease by up to 80 percent.<\/p>\n
The plan, which is expected to come into effect on Oct. 1, has
\ndrawn strong opposition from students and labor activists.<\/p>\n
Many student organizations and trade unions have warned that
\nthey would stage massive protests.<\/p>\n
The Mandiri Workers Union, for instance, has announced that
\nsome 16,000 of its members would hold rally in front of the
\nPresidential Palace on Thursday. Student organizations are also
\nexpected to join the group.<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged those who oppose the
\npolicy to stage peaceful rallies without disrupting the daily
\nactivities of other people.<\/p>\n
\"We are not going to ban any protest rallies against the fuel
\nprice hike since this is a democratic country. You are free to
\nvoice your protests. But please do it peacefully, don't burn
\nanything,\" said Susilo during a gathering of university heads and
\nacademicians including members of the Rector's Forum.<\/p>\n
Susilo also urged protesters to clearly explain to the public
\nthe reasons for their objection to the fuel price increases, as
\nwell as providing reasonable solutions to address the problems.<\/p>\n
\"Please explain the objections clearly to the public in order
\nto provide good political education. Don't just provoke the
\npublic with unreasonable solutions to the problem,\" said Susilo.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso said that his administration had
\nprepared around 400 buses and trucks to anticipate dysfunctions
\nin public transportation because of massive demonstrations.<\/p>\n
\"We have prepared our personnel and equipment for the worst
\nscenario if people from the public transportation sector stage a
\nrally and paralyze city's transportation,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nation-braces-for-massive-protests-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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