Police ready to anticipate possible riots

JAKARTA (JP): City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday that police had been deployed throughout the city to prevent unrest following the government's closure of 16 ailing private banks.

"There isn't any special squad or operation. Police patrols around business areas will be held as usual. But, yes, we will be more alert to anticipate any possible commotion caused by the bank closure announcement," he said.

The government announced Saturday the closure of 16 banks as part of the International Monetary Fund's reform package.

The 16 banks include Bank Harapan Sentosa, Sejahtera Bank Umum, Bank Andromeda, Bank Pacific, Bank Astria Raya, Bank Guna International and Bank Dwipa Semesta.

Thousands of disgruntled customers are expected to flock to the banks' offices today to get their money back.

Aritonang said police officers would be ready to maintain order at each bank branch to ensure all customers were given an opportunity to retrieve their money.

He refused to disclose the number of officers assigned to secure the banks across the city.

An intelligence officer from the Army's special force (Kopassus) said officers would be deployed to back up today's security program. Kopassus officers would be posted at some areas in Greater Jakarta, he said without providing further details.

He said the servicemen would be operating undercover.

"We'll just monitor the situation but we're always ready to back up the police and the Army."

The presence of more security guards and police officers at several banks, especially Bank Harapan Sentosa in Harmoni, Central Jakarta, yesterday, indicated that both the bank and the police have made preparations to cope with today's rush.

Several "no entry" notices have been placed at the bank's main entrance, while a team of police officers from the Central Jakarta and Gambir police precincts were stationed in front of the bank.

An officer, who did not want to be named, said yesterday the team were deployed after Saturday's announcement.

However, he refused to divulge the number of personnel involved.

He said it was believed that the bank's executives had held a meeting at the bank from 2 p.m. yesterday.

Some customers came to the bank yesterday to convince themselves that it had really been closed down by the government.

Several bank employees also came to their office for the latest information regarding their future employment.

An employee of Bank Harapan Sentosa's East Jakarta branch, Tuti, said that she would accept the final outcome, even if meant she was jobless.

One of the bank's customers, Rudi of Pancoran, South Jakarta, said Bank Harapan Sentosa's closure was quite unbelievable.

"I am surprised because the bank seemed to be very strong as was indicated by their modern offices and their quick service," he said. (04/cst)