BIN predicts smooth and peaceful general elections
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Chief of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Lt. Gen. (ret.) A.M. Hendropriyono foresees no (major) security disturbances that could obstruct the upcoming general election, saying several minor conflicts may occur but they could be kept under control.
"Security authorities, mainly the police, the military and BIN have been monitoring all areas across the country to make sure that the elections go smoothly.
"Of course, there might be minor disturbances, but I'm sure that it won't disrupt the political events," Hendropriyono said in a seminar on intelligence at the University of Indonesia here on Wednesday.
He said BIN has detected several groups who were trying to foil the elections but they could not do so as authorities were already aware of their operative method. He declined to identify the groups.
"We have given the green light to the government to go ahead with the elections," he said.
More than 145 million voters will go to polling stations to vote in the legislative and presidential elections. Twenty-four political parties will be contesting the legislative election on April 5.
Fear of widespread confusion in remote areas looms as the General Elections Commission (KPU) has been behind schedule in making the necessary preparations for the legislative elections. KPU has not yet finished distributing ballot boxes and ballot papers to remote areas in Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua.
Many political observers and rights campaigners have expressed their concern that the elections could not run democratically in conflict-ridden Aceh due to the ongoing martial law and the military operation to quell the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said that the police planned to deploy around 180,000 personnel to maintain security and order nationwide during the elections.
He called on political parties to deploy their paramilitary personnel to coordinate with security authorities to maintain security during the election campaign period and the election days.
Da'i also said that the police had provided protection for all KPU members and staff in the regions to assist them in preparations for the elections.
House Commission II chairman Teras Narang said the House would monitor the usage of Rp 10.6 trillion allocated to finance the election, including Rp 1.2 trillion for security expenditure.