Police to beef up security

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: As the Idul Fitri holiday is drawing near, South Sumatra Police are planning to beef up security for the annual festive season. To maintain peace and security a week before and after Idul Fitri on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, the provincial police will deploy over 4,000 police personnel throughout the city, a senior police officer said on Monday.

The police personnel will be deployed in strategic locations such as malls, government offices and mosques in 14 regencies and municipalities across the province, said deputy chief of South Sumatra Police Brig. Gen. Abdurrahman.

Separately, secretary to the South Sumatra provincial government Sofyan Rebuin said the police could not manage security single-handedly during Idul Fitri. Public participation in securing the city is a must, said Sofyan. -- Antara