Over 12,000 officers ready for holidays

Over 12,000 officers ready for holidays

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In safeguarding the capital during the upcoming Ramadhan fasting
month, Idul Fitri and the Christmas holidays, the City Police is
to deploy a total of 12,628 officers across the city,
particularly at 243 critical points, under the Operasi Ketupat
Lilin.

To support the operation, City Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
Padmanagara requested on Thursday an additional Rp 2.3 billion
(US$270,588.24) fund.

The fund, he said, would be used to provide meals for the
officers assigned to the three-month operation, which starts on
Oct. 27, but for only 10 days within that duration.

Half of the budget will be spent during the Idul Fitri
holiday, while the remainder will be spent during Christmas.

"Expenses on other days will be financed by our own regular
budget," Makbul said.

Makbul called on Jakartans not to hold parades across the city
on the eve of Idul Fitri, as they could cause security problems.

The police plan to close Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin in
Central Jakarta to motorized vehicles so that Muslims may perform
takbiran (mass prayer on the eve of Idul Fitri).

Makbul reiterated that police must seriously anticipate
possible terror acts during the holidays, because many people who
were allegedly involved in a string of bombings in the capital,
including the Marriott bombing in August, are still at large.

Makbul did not name the critical points in the city, but said
police would be stationed at mosques, churches and other public
places.

He also stressed that the sale and use of firecrackers and
fireworks were prohibited during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, as they
were dangerous.