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)