Police, parties plan joint security posts

Police, parties plan joint security posts

JAKARTA (JP): City police and the 48 political parties
contesting the June 7 general election agreed on Saturday to set
up joint security posts to help secure the polls in the capital.

The agreement was concluded during a meeting between senior
Jakarta Police officers and some 100 representatives of the
political parties' security forces.

City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said the joint
security posts, to be set up at the Jakarta Police Headquarters
and the eight police precincts in Greater Jakarta, were designed
as a place for the police and the parties' security forces to
coordinate their efforts.

"We hope the security forces from all poll contestants will
be active during the campaign and the polls," Noegroho said,
adding that the police would help support the security forces.

According to Noegroho, the first post would be located at
City police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta.

The post will be inaugurated on Monday.

Noegroho said similar posts would be set up at the five police
precincts in the city and the three police precincts in
Tangerang, Depok and Bekasi, which are under the supervision of
the Jakarta Police.

The posts will be under the coordination of the head of the
Jakarta Police's Center of Command, Control and Operation, Col.
Soenarko.

The operations of the posts will be accountable to the city
police, which also will provide the political parties' security
forces the supplies they will need for their activities, Noegroho
said without giving further details.

Separately, Col. Soenarko reminded the parties' security
forces always to be on the alert for the presence of provocateurs
who might disrupt the campaign.

As reported earlier, the General Elections Commission (KPU)
has set the campaign period for the general election from May 19
to June 4.

According to Soenarko, any campaign always will be attended by
"wild" people who are not invited.

"It's difficult to handle wild people. Therefore, we should
give extra attention to these people to secure your parties'
campaigns," he told the party representatives.

Several representatives at the meeting suggested making a
joint pledge to secure the polls in the capital.

However, Noegroho rejected the idea, saying that such a pledge
was not necessary.

"The important thing is that you keep the pledge deep in your
heart to make the polls safe," he said.

In response to a representative's question, Noegroho suggested
all contesting parties immediately inform the police if their
party's flags were torn down by members of other parties.

"It's a theft. Just report it to the police. We'll probe the
case."

The flags, banners and pamphlets of several political parties
can be seen on buildings, public facilities and trees along the
city's streets, including Jl. Warung Buncit and Jl. Mampang
Prapatan in South Jakarta, and Jl. Basuki Rahmat in East Jakarta.

Parties' flags and pamphlets also mark streets in Tangerang,
including Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan and Jl.
Merdeka.

Many residents have complained that the flags and banners
deface the city.

However, many street traders see business opportunities in
party symbols. Vendors are selling a wide range of political
party-related goods, including flags, stickers, postcards,
headbands and T-shirts.

These street traders can be seen selling their goods along Jl.
Mampang and Jl. Warung Buncit in South Jakarta, Jl. Senen Raya
and Jl. K.S. Tubun in Central Jakarta, and Jl. Jatinegara in East
Jakarta. (jun)