Bandung police on alert

BANDUNG: The City Police have mobilized about 3,000 people to secure 139 sites to be used during the election campaign which ends on May 23.

The 3,000 people comprise police officers and civilian members of various organizations' security task-forces, City Police chief Col. Erwin MAP said Saturday.

"Although Bandung is politically stable ahead of the campaigning season, we are watchful of any efforts to create unrest," he said as quoted by Antara.

Recently, Bandung was one of several major cities rocked by rumors of impending riots. Anonymous leaflets threatened to turn Bandung into a sea of flame with Chinese properties being the main target.

Leaders of the three political parties, the United Development Party, Golkar and Indonesian Democratic Party, have been asked to control their campaigning supporters. (pan)