Maluku Police ask for reinforcements

AMBON, Maluku: A request made by the Maluku Police for Mobile Brigade (Brimob) reinforcement troops from Jakarta is hanging in the balance, provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said on Wednesday.

Firman said additional personnel were badly needed now that the provincial police were intensifying law enforcement in the territory, which was licking its wounds after a prolonged sectarian conflict.

"We expect what is going on in Jakarta will not worsen, so reinforcement troops could be dispatched as soon as possible," Firman said.

The provincial police is also waiting for the return of about 110 Mobile Brigade personnel who have been staying in Surabaya and Bali. (49/edt)