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.