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