Police deploy over 120,000 personnel to secure Idul Fitri

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Police will deploy 124,635 personnel nationwide to provide security for the millions of people expected to be traveling home for the Idul Fitri holiday.

Over 82,000 of the officers will be deployed in seven provinces -- Lampung (3,915 personnel), West Java (15,096), Jakarta (15,026), Central Java (16,209), East Java (19,952), Yogyakarta (5,284) and Bali (6,800).

The remaining 42,352 officers will be deployed across the country.

The Ministry of Communications has estimated that 18.8 million people across the country will return to their hometowns for Idul Fitri, which falls on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26. That would mean one police officer for every 150 travelers.

National Police Supervisory Security Agency chief Com. Gen. Adang Daradjatun said on Tuesday the code name for the security operation was Operasi Ketupat (Operation Rice Cake).

Major roads along Java and Sumatra will be divided into segments, with each segment given a police guard.

"Although the operation is being launched during the holiday exodus, that does not mean officers will only be protecting the holiday travelers only. Residential neighborhoods and strategic locations will also be given full attention," said Adang.

He said that during the holiday travel season, many places in big cities, especially Jakarta, would be left relatively empty. In response, police will step up their neighborhood patrols during the holiday.

"Jakarta Police have anticipated this phenomena. They have prepared enough personnel to secure the neighborhoods in Jakarta," said Adang.

The police will also secure strategic locations such as airports, seaports and foreign embassies to prevent terrorist attacks, he said.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, while checking security preparations along Java's northern coast, stressed on Tuesday the importance of cooperation with other government agencies.

West Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Dadang Garnida said on Tuesday he had already deployed his officers throughout the province. The police officers will be assisted by 3,018 personnel from the Indonesian Military.

Dadang said there were 13 critical points in West Java in terms of traffic jams and crime.

These points, he said, were being adequately guarded by police personnel.