Heightened security ensures safe journey for holidaymakers
Heightened security ensures safe journey for holidaymakers
Bambang Nurbianto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian security forces suffered a literal shock therapy two
months ago, in the bomb blast on the resort island of Bali that
claimed about 200 lives. As a result, perhaps, the approximately
two million holidaymakers leaving the capital for their Idul
Fitri celebrations are enjoying better security this year.
As of Wednesday -- two days before Idul Fitri -- no
significant incidents have befallen holidaymakers, who have
crowded bus terminals, railway stations, seaports and the airport
since last Friday.
Additional police posts were seen not only in departure points
all over the capital, but also along the roads regularly taken by
travelers and strategic places like shopping centers.
Police crackdowns against hoodlums in crime-prone areas,
including bus terminals, since the onset of the Ramadhan fasting
month, have also contributed to better security for the
holidaymakers.
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso previously announced that as many as
15,349 officers, comprising personnel from the police, the
military, the public order agency and the public, had been
deployed to secure the capital before, during and after the Idul
Fitri celebrations. He explained further that the security
officers would be deployed at 90 crime-prone areas around the
city.
The government also seemed to be serious about providing
security for the annual exodus, as was indicated by President
Megawati Soekarnoputri's visits to Merak Port in Banten and
Palimanan in West Java. Both cities are main gateways of the
exodus to cities in Java and in Sumatra, respectively.
"Thank God, there has been no significant security problem
reported so far. We hope that this security will continue until
the holidaymakers' return to Jakarta," said the head of
Indonesian Railway Company (PT KAI) Operational Zone I, Sugeng
Sugiharto, on Wednesday.
The KAI Operational Zone I covers Jakarta, Merak and the towns
of Sukabumi and Cikampek in West Java.
Sugeng said in the trains alone, as many as 1,000 security
officers consisting of police officers, soldiers, intelligence
officers, civilian public order and security officers, volunteers
such as the Boy Scouts, and task forces from political parties
had been dispatched to secure the passengers' safety.
Sugeng added that four police officers had accompanied each
train departing from Jakarta since last Friday, a week before
Idul Fitri, while six additional security officers accompanied
economy-class trains.
"The four police officers will accompany the passengers up to
the final stops, while the six additional security officers on
economy trains will only escort the train to Cikampek Station in
West Java," he added.
Further, hundreds of the Mobile Brigade Police Unit (Brimob)
and plainclothes officers from the National Intelligence Agency
(BIN) were on standby at all major railway stations, for example
the Senen, Gambir, Tanah Abang and Kota stations.
Meanwhile, metal detectors could also be seen at all entrances
to train stations, where security officers randomly checked all
visitors.
"This year I feel safe, as I can see police officers
everywhere in this station. We hope that nothing will happen,"
said Ali, a resident of Cempaka Putih, who is on his way to
Surabaya via economy train.
Slamet, a passenger who was waiting for a bus at Pulogadung
bus station in East Jakarta which would take him to his hometown
in Wonosobo, East Java, shared Ali's statement.
"I can see a police officer or two wherever I go. I also heard
that some of them are dressed as civilians," Slamet said, adding,
"I haven't met any of the plainclothes officers, of course. They
don't want to blow their cover."
It was estimated that the number of holidaymakers would peak
on Wednesday, with most bus and train operators having prepared
reserve transport to accommodate the extra passengers.
At the Kampung Rambutan bus station in East Jakarta, as many
as 20 additional buses have departed since Tuesday, according to
station staff.
In Senen, as many as five additional business- and economy-
class trains had been prepared to anticipate the drastic increase
in Idul Fitri travelers. "We have 13 additional trains which are
ready to depart at any time, if necessary," station master Sugeng
Setiono told the press Wednesday.
Executive class trains have also begun to depart from Gambir
Station, including the Gumarang Lebaran train, the Argo Lawu
Lebaran train, the Gajayana Lebaran train and the Kamandanu
Lebaran train, most of which are heading to cities in Central and
East Java.
Aside from those travelers taking public transportation to
reach their holiday destinations, 25,220 city residents are
traveling on 437 buses organized independently by companies such
as PT Indofood Sukses Makmur, PT Sidomuncul, PT Gudang Garam, PT
Bentoel and PT Jarum Kudus.