Police likely to block Jakarta if necessary<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Insp. Gen. Nurfaizi, the city police chief, said
\non Wednesday that his personnel might close the capital to
\noutsiders, particularly those bent on causing disruption in
\nJakarta, during next month's Annual Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
\"That's our contingency plan. We'll put it into effect (only)
\nif the people from outside Jakarta have already been proven to be
\nmaking trouble here,\" Nurfaizi told reporters, admitting that the
\nauthorities, including the police, have no right to prevent
\npeople entering the city under normal circumstances.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he suggested that several organizations cancel
\ntheir plans to bring large numbers of their supporters to the
\ncapital during the Assembly's session from Aug. 7 - 18.<\/p>\n
\"The city police will employ various alternatives, including
\nsealing off the city, to prevent their coming to Jakarta,\"
\nNurfaizi added.<\/p>\n
He insisted that his personnel would not hesitate this time in
\ntaking stiff measures against any people caught red-handedly
\nattempting to instigate disturbances.<\/p>\n
\"But if they are found trying to do negative things, which
\ncould disturb life in the city, the Jakarta Police will take
\nstern measures.<\/p>\n
We will also halt buses or trains from entering Jakarta,\"
\nNurfaizi said.<\/p>\n
The two-star general refused to disclose the possible spots
\nwhere the police would set up roadblocks.<\/p>\n
\"That is still a secret,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nurfaizi also said the police would firstly employ a
\npersuasive approach towards the groups, which have planned to
\nswamp Jakarta's major streets with their followers during the
\nsession.<\/p>\n
\"For instance, will embrace and include them by forming crisis
\ncenters in which all groups will have their own representatives
\nso as to maintain security in the capital,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The scheme has been planned as the police will not be able to
\nsecure the capital alone without the help of the public.<\/p>\n
\"The city police and the leaders of the groups will work
\ntogether at the centers to maintain security and order in the
\ncapital during the session,\" Nurfaizi said.<\/p>\n
He also urged the some 10 million residents of Jakarta not to
\nbe \"used\" by political leaders, who wanted to mobilize the public
\nfor the sake of their own interests.<\/p>\n
\"There is no need to take part in the mass mobilization. City
\nresidents should uphold security in their neighborhoods
\nthemselves,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nurfaizi said city residents must give voice to their
\naspirations through proper channels and avoid triggering riots.<\/p>\n
\"The people can lodge their complaints with the House of
\nRepresentatives or the City Council,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the city police would also concentrate on
\nsafeguarding certain vital facilities in the city during the
\nsession.<\/p>\n
\"These include the Assembly building, Presidential Palace,
\nSoekarno-Hatta International Airport, and the hotels where the
\nlegislators are staying during the session,\" Nurfaizi explained.<\/p>\n
The police, he added, will also safeguard public facilities
\nthat are susceptible to sabotage, such as water and State
\nElectricity Company (PLN) installations<\/p>\n
Chief of the National Police Gen. Rusdihardjo said on Tuesday
\nthat the police force would deploy 28,270 personnel to secure the
\nsession in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Political tension has escalated since rumors started
\ncirculating that political figures planned to topple President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid at the Annual Session, turning it into a
\nSpecial Session.<\/p>\n
These rumors have triggered an angry response from the
\nPresident's supporters, including the powerful Nadhlatul Ulama
\nMuslim organization, which was once chaired by Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Some leaders of the organization recently threatened to send
\nthe NU's multi-purpose force (Banser) to Jakarta to confront any
\ngroups attempting to mobilize the people and asking the Assembly
\nto seek Abdurrahman's resignation. (asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/police-likely-to-block-jakarta-if-necessary-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}