Police, military in show of force for special session
Police, military in show of force for special session
JAKARTA (JP): More than 5,600 armed military and police
personnel, two police helicopters, numerous armored vehicles,
water canon and hundreds of motorcycles were deployed on Tuesday
as part of a dress rehearsal for protecting the upcoming special
session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Witnessed by the Assembly leaders in the MPR compound, the
security personnel, drawn from the Jakarta Police and Jakarta
Military Command, demonstrated their skills in maintaining
security inside the buildings and around the compound.
The helicopters demonstrated how to evacuate the participants
from the special session to a safe location in a worst case
scenario.
National Police deputy chief for operational affairs Insp.
Gen. Syachroeddin Alam said that most of the personnel would be
deployed inside the House building, especially inside and around
the hall where the session would be held, and in crucial
locations around the House compound.
"This exercise is essential to hone the men's skills in
tackling disturbances and violent demonstrations," Syachroeddin
said.
"They have been instructed to deal firmly with rioters," he
added.
Jakarta Military chief Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo pledged to fully
support the police in maintaining security and order before and
during the special session.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob said that with
the backup from the military and the city administration, the
police would strengthen the security system around the
legislative compound and business centers in the city.
A multilayer security system would be applied in the House
grounds and at several locations outside the legislative
compound, including the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Semanggi
cloverleaf and Slipi flyover.
"Leaders of the Assembly and all the participants in the
special session will be evacuated to safe locations if it becomes
impossible to hold the special session in the legislative
compound," he said.
City Governor Sutiyoso, meanwhile, said that he had many
alternative buildings available for the special session if the
worst came to the worst, including the City Council building.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais called on certain
groups in society not to come near the legislative compound
during the special session.
"Rioters should not come near the legislative compound during
the special session because they will be confronted by armed
members of the security forces," Amien warned.
However, he also noted that it would be excessive if each
legislator had to be escorted by two or three security guards
during the session.
According to him, it would be better for the participants to
travel alone to the special session to allow the members of the
security forces to concentrate on their principal duties.
Meanwhile, Muhaimin Iskandar, secretary-general of the
National Awakening Party (PKB), a supporter of embattled
President Abdurrahman Wahid, criticized the dry run as a show of
force, saying the security precautions were excessive, as if the
nation were facing imminent attack by a formidable foe.
"Of the utmost importance is that the authorities assign
security personnel in rational and plausible numbers in
anticipation of violence during the special session," he
said.(rms/jun)
JAKARTA (JP): More than 5,600 armed military and police
personnel, two police helicopters, numerous armored vehicles,
water canon and hundreds of motorcycles were deployed on Tuesday
as part of a dress rehearsal for protecting the upcoming special
session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Witnessed by the Assembly leaders in the MPR compound, the
security personnel, drawn from the Jakarta Police and Jakarta
Military Command, demonstrated their skills in maintaining
security inside the buildings and around the compound.
The helicopters demonstrated how to evacuate the participants
from the special session to a safe location in a worst case
scenario.
National Police deputy chief for operational affairs Insp.
Gen. Syachroeddin Alam said that most of the personnel would be
deployed inside the House building, especially inside and around
the hall where the session would be held, and in crucial
locations around the House compound.
"This exercise is essential to hone the men's skills in
tackling disturbances and violent demonstrations," Syachroeddin
said.
"They have been instructed to deal firmly with rioters," he
added.
Jakarta Military chief Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo pledged to fully
support the police in maintaining security and order before and
during the special session.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob said that with
the backup from the military and the city administration, the
police would strengthen the security system around the
legislative compound and business centers in the city.
A multilayer security system would be applied in the House
grounds and at several locations outside the legislative
compound, including the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, Semanggi
cloverleaf and Slipi flyover.
"Leaders of the Assembly and all the participants in the
special session will be evacuated to safe locations if it becomes
impossible to hold the special session in the legislative
compound," he said.
City Governor Sutiyoso, meanwhile, said that he had many
alternative buildings available for the special session if the
worst came to the worst, including the City Council building.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais called on certain
groups in society not to come near the legislative compound
during the special session.
"Rioters should not come near the legislative compound during
the special session because they will be confronted by armed
members of the security forces," Amien warned.
However, he also noted that it would be excessive if each
legislator had to be escorted by two or three security guards
during the session.
According to him, it would be better for the participants to
travel alone to the special session to allow the members of the
security forces to concentrate on their principal duties.
Meanwhile, Muhaimin Iskandar, secretary-general of the
National Awakening Party (PKB), a supporter of embattled
President Abdurrahman Wahid, criticized the dry run as a show of
force, saying the security precautions were excessive, as if the
nation were facing imminent attack by a formidable foe.
"Of the utmost importance is that the authorities assign
security personnel in rational and plausible numbers in
anticipation of violence during the special session," he
said.(rms/jun)