City special security team set up
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Governor Sutiyoso has appointed Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo to lead the Ketupat (steamed rice) and Lilin (candle) security operations during the Idul Fitri and Christmas holidays.
The head of data processing at the City Social Disturbance Office, Raya Siahaan, said the administration would employ 11,000 police officers and 3,000 public order officers for the operations.
"The officers will be deployed to crime prone areas, such as markets and bus terminals," Raya said on Thursday at City Hall.
He said the administration also would deploy doctors and paramedics at the city's four main bus terminals: Kampung Rambutan and Pulo Gadung in East Jakarta, Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta and Kalideres in West Jakarta.
An additional 12 terminals will be included in the operations: Rawamangun, Pulo Gebang, Tanah Merdeka, Jl. Tendean, Damri headquarters and Pinang Ranti in East Jakarta; Grogol, Cengkareng, Safari Dharma Raya and Taman Kota in West Jakarta, Muara Angke and Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta.
As many as 6,373 regular buses and 567 irregular buses are being prepared to transport residents traveling out of town for the holidays.
For those traveling by train, the government is preparing 51 locomotives with 159 cars at four railway stations: Kota in West Jakarta; Gambir, Senen and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta.
The administration has predicted that the number of residents using land transportation to travel out of town for the holidays this year will reach 1.97 million people, a 7.9 percent increase from the 1.87 million people last year.
This exodus and subsequent influx is expected to take place roughly seven days before and after the Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year's holidays.
State-owned shipping company PT Pelni is also readying 23 ships at Tanjung Priok harbor for those traveling by sea.
And state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia has prepared 45 airplanes, state-owned Merpati 31 planes, Mandala 13 planes, Bouraq eight planes, Pelita eight planes and Lion Air six planes.