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)