Civilian guards to maintain order

BANDUNG: West Java Police have pledged to maintain order in the province during the New Year and Idul Fitri holiday celebrations, despite a lack of personnel.

Chief of the provincial police Maj. Gen. Chaerudin Ismail said the police had recalled 5,000 civilian guards to make up for 400 Mobile Brigade troops already dispatched to Aceh.

"Of course the quality of civilian guards is no match to that of the Mobile Brigade personnel. But we have to try our best," Chaerudin said.

The civilian guards were recruited for the general election last June.

Apart from arranging operations to maintain order during the holiday season, the police have called on people to stay on alert, Chaerudin said. (43)