Police serenades 'becak' drivers in bid for security

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman entertained some 4,000 becak (pedicab) drivers on Wednesday with live dangdut music, appealing to them to reject any tempting offers to riot from provocateurs.

During the meeting at the Senayan Basketball Hall in Central Jakarta, the two-star general urged the drivers to play an active role in helping cool simmering tension in the capital ahead of the presidential election on Oct. 20.

"Becak drivers are vulnerable to be used by provocateurs to riot. They are simple people. That's why we (police) have to embrace them," Noegroho told reporters after briefing the drivers and dancing with them.

The drivers wore their regular street clothes to the gathering.

It was not disclosed if they were reimbursed for their time and expenses.

After the meeting, Noegroho once again urged personnel of task forces and security volunteers of political parties not to take to the streets to avoid clashes.

He also told non-Jakarta residents, including supporters and opponents of presidential candidates for the election in the General Session in the People's Consultative Assembly, to immediately return to their hometowns.

"We (Jakarta security authorities) are already enough to safeguard Jakarta," Noegroho said.

National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi echoed Noegroho's remarks on Wednesday.

"Just trust the security of the General Session to the security personnel," he told a news conference.

Accompanied by his assistants, Roesmanhadi said the call for outsiders to return home was a preventative measure to avoid them clashing with outsiders.

He referred to an incident in front of Hotel Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon in which supporters of President B.J. Habibie almost became involved in a clash with followers of the presidential candidate from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The four-star general said 41,500 police personnel were currently deployed in and around the capital to secure the city and the General Session.

"Thus, we ask anyone and any party who is attempting to create disturbances here to stop their plans because we're completely ready to face such efforts," Roesmanhadi said.

Habibie will present his accountability speech before members of the legislature on Thursday evening. (asa/bsr)