Parties not to mobilize supporters

BANDUNG (JP): In a bid to avoid chaos during next month's annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), National Police chief Gen. Rusdihardjo has asked political parties not to mobilize their supporters.

"We have set adequate security plans to secure the session, even to cope with the worst-case scenario," Rusdihardjo announced after closing a nationwide training course for police chiefs at National Police Staff and Command School (Sespim Polri) in Lembang here on Friday.

"Therefore I urge all party leaders to avoid a 'show of force' by deploying mass numbers of supporters which could further trigger unrest," the four-star general said.

A total of 28,270 troops are set to secure the session. Nine thousand five hundred will come from the police, 2,900 from the military and 12,000 from Kamra civilian militia.

Rusdihardjo said other problems that could trigger unrest would be avoided, such as a fuel shortage in several cities, including Jakarta. Rusdihardjo said that state oil company Pertamina had asked the police to escort fuel deliveries to avoid stock piling.

"It is obvious that there are certain parties who want to spoil the situation and take advantage of it," he said without elaborating. (25/edt)