Operation to maintain public order extended

Operation to maintain public order extended

JAKARTA (JP): The widely criticized citywide operation to
maintain public security and order has been extended for 10 days
and will involve more personnel, deputy governor for
administrative affairs Abdul Kahfi said on Thursday.

He said the decision followed an evaluation of the recent
operation which was conducted between Nov. 27 and Jan. 16.

Besides maintaining public order, the purpose of extending the
operation is to secure the capital and the Chinese New Year
celebration, which falls on Jan. 24, in view of the recent
political developments, he said.

Notwithstanding coordination problems between officers from
the city administration, police and the Army, Kahfi said the
program was being hailed as a success in all five mayoralties.

He said the extension had been made possible due to some Rp
800 million surplus following the latest operation which the city
administration had expected to cost Rp 8 billion.

"The surplus will be used to finance the operation," Kahfi
told a media briefing.

During the 10-day operation, the city authorities will add
1,700 officers to the existing 8,000.

The city authorities has asked for support from the military
and police officers in their citywide crackdown on public order
offenders since their presence had proven effective in curbing
the number of clashes between the public and the authorities.

During the recent operation, hundreds of public order
violators were brought to trial, resulting in some Rp 12.9
million in fines. A total of 11,304 people were detained during
the operation, among others, squatters living along river banks
and railway stations, drugs addicts, illegal liquor and
firecracker vendors, prostitutes, becak (three-wheeled public
transportation vehicles) drivers and people who had no identity
cards.

Kahfi said the authorities would also propose a year-long
operation, during which a weekly evaluation meeting would be
held. (04)