E. Java to deploy 33,000 security personnel to prevent chaos

SURABAYA (JP): East Java will deploy 33,000 military and police personnel in an all-out effort to prevent chaos in the province before, during and after the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) special session in Jakarta.

East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Sutanto said here on Wednesday that the decision was made in a coordination meeting held at the East Java Police Headquarters earlier in the day.

East Java Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, Eastern Naval Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Wahyu, and all police and military chiefs at the regency level attended the meeting.

"We'll do our best to prevent chaos before, during and after the special session," Sutanto said.

"When the House of Representatives issued its first and second censure motion against President Abdurrahman Wahid in February and May respectively, we deployed only 17,000 personnel. But now, due to various reasons, we have decided to deploy 33,000 personnel. They are from the police Mobile Brigade, Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), Navy and the Air Force."

"Some of the police officers to be deployed in East Java will come from Bali, Central Java and Jakarta. If necessary, Lampung Police Headquarters is also ready to help us with its personnel."

East Java is known as the stronghold of die-hard supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid who is the former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama and founder of the National Awakening Party (PKB).

At least 100 people, claiming to represent ulemas and the people from Sidoarjo, a neighboring town of Surabaya, demonstrated on Monday to voice their support for Abdurrahman's plan to declare a state of emergency and reject the Assembly's special session slated for Aug. 1.

According to Sutanto, key public facilities, including railway and bus stations, radio and television stations, and airports and seaports, which are vulnerable to attacks will be the focus of the security operation. "Sweeping operations will be conducted at these places," he said.

Regarding the plan by some of Abdurrahman's supporters to go to Jakarta on the day of the special session, Sutanto said he would have it (the plan) canceled. "Or they must promise they will not participate in any anarchic actions in Jakarta."

Meanwhile East Java Military chief Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi said his troops were ready to back up the police.

"We have been informed that several vital facilities, including the coal power plant in Probolinggo, have been targeted for attack by certain groups of people. We will safeguard the special session at all cost," he said. (nur/sur)