12,500 officers read for Idul Fitri security
12,500 officers read for Idul Fitri security
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will deploy about 12,500 security officers as a precautionary measure during the long Idul Fitri weekend.
The officers will come from the City Police, the City Land Transportation Control Agency (DLLAJ) and the City Military Command.
Deputy Governor for Government Affairs Idroes told reporters yesterday that the step is aimed at protecting Jakartans who intend to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns.
"This year the city administration predicts that more than two million people will leave the city and we intend to protect their safety by deploying the personnel," Idroes said.
Idroes explained that much of the personnel will keep a close watch on the city's bus terminal.
"The personnel will patrol the terminals for ticket scalpers and drivers who raise ticket fares," he said, adding that others will be posted in railways stations, airports and sea ports.
Idroes has instructed DLLAJ to investigate claims of bus owners raising daily bus rental fees in order to collect increased ticket fares.
He explained the city administration will tolerate fare increases if they are kept in line within the 25 percent margin established by the government and punish all violators.
The city administration will deploy over 7,000 buses from Feb. 24 to March 11. To handle the expected explosion of public transportation passengers, it will set up 16 temporary bus terminals in addition to the city's four regular terminals: Kampung Rambutan in East Jakarta, Kalideres in West Jakarta, Pulogadung in East Jakarta and Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta .
Idroes said security officers will also be posted in various places around the city such as shopping malls, tourism centers and mosques.
Idroes added that the local rise in prices of nine primary commodities is still under control, except for the higher meat prices.
"In general the increase is still under 15 percent. However, the price of meat is about 25 percent higher than usual. This has been caused by increased demand for meat during the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan," Idroes said.
The normal rate is generally 800 cows per day, though it has now reached 1,600 cows, or 200 tons per day.
Idroes said the City Logistic Board has taken measures to control the situation by providing about 951.5 tons or frozen meat as stock.
Head of City Husbandry Office Sumitro told reporters that his office will bring in about 53,000 cows and water buffaloes from Bali, East and West Nusa Tenggara.
"The office will also launch an operation to curb illegal slaughters in the city during Ramadhan," Sumitro said. (yns)