Security tightened ahead of holidays<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Authorities have tightened security across the country ahead of
\nthe upcoming holiday season, deploying about 120,000 police
\npersonnel to anticipate possible terrorist attacks and other
\nsecurity disturbances.<\/p>\n
National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Thursday that
\npolice would place special attention on transportation facilities
\nduring the holiday exodus.<\/p>\n
\"We have increased security at bus terminals, seaports and
\nairports, and provided bomb detector equipment at all
\ninstallations,\" Da'i said after a Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n
\"VIP passengers also have to pass through the detector door
\nbefore entering planes, and we expect everybody to comply with
\nthe security procedures,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The country will celebrate Idul Fitri, Christmas, and the New
\nYear in the coming month, with the deadly Bali bombings
\novershadowing preparations.<\/p>\n
The minister for religious affairs will hold a meeting with
\nMuslim organizations on Dec. 4 to determine the exact time of
\nIdul Fitri, as it depends on the moon's position.<\/p>\n
Millions of people are expected to return to their hometowns
\nto celebrate Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year with their
\nfamilies.<\/p>\n
Da'i said Thursday that police would be on full alert from
\nNov. 28 through Jan. 7.<\/p>\n
\"Our main operation areas are securing the exodus routes along
\nSumatra, especially Lampung, Java and Bali to help commuters and
\nother land transportation passengers,\" Da'i said.<\/p>\n
He also said that police personnel would also focus on
\nsecurity in housing complexes, which are often left unattended
\nduring holidays.<\/p>\n
According to Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun
\nKuntjoro-jakti, about 13.1 million people would travel during the
\nholiday season.<\/p>\n
The government had prepared hundreds of back-up buses, trains
\nand seven Navy warships to assist in the movement of the people.<\/p>\n
Dorodjatun said food supplies would be sufficient throughout
\nthe holiday season.<\/p>\n
\"We have ... rice stocks up to 1.96 tons, and other basic
\ncommodities ready to anticipate the holidays,\" Dorodjatun said.<\/p>\n
The government was prepared to conduct direct selling in
\ntraditional markets should there be sharp price increases that
\ncould burden the people, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We are preparing some 300 tons of rice for direct selling
\nwith the price of Rp 2,800 per kilogram should there be a sharp
\nprice increase in prices.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/security-tightened-ahead-of-holidays-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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