Police to monitor influx of Idul Fitri travelers
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
The Jakarta Police will deploy thousands of officers to several bus and railway stations, the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Tanjung Priok port to monitor incoming travelers several days after Idul Fitri.
City Police chief of operations Sr. Comr. Komang Udayana said on Friday that, aside from directing heavy traffic, the police would concentrate on monitoring the arrival of newcomers to the city.
"We are aiming at preventing criminals and terrorists from entering the capital, taking advantage of the influx and blending in with other passengers.
"Although it is impossible to check each passenger who enters Jakarta, we will monitor them carefully. If we see someone or something suspicious then we will check the passenger and his luggage," Komang told The Jakarta Post.
He said the police would conduct spot checks of passengers' luggage to look for sharp weapons and guns in all bus and railway stations across the city.
Komang predicted the influx of travelers would begin on Sunday and would peak by the end of next week.
The Idul Fitri holiday, which marks the end of the fasting month, fell on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4. Some 2.5 million Jakarta residents were expected to leave for their hometowns to celebrate the festivities there. It was estimated that some 250,000 newcomers would come to Jakarta this year.
Police remain on full alert after the Oct. 1 suicide bomb attacks destroyed two cafes and a restaurant in Jimbaran and Kuta in Bali, killing 23 people and injuring more than 130 others.
"We will be on full alert for at least seven days after Idul Fitri. We aim to concentrate our resources on securing the exodus, celebration and influx periods," Komang said.
With full alert, the city police ready around 17,000 personnel to secure the capital, some 13,000 of whom are deployed to secure holiday travelers. They also stepped up security in certain places after Detachment 88, the police's special antiterror squad, said there was a high possibility of bomb attacks during Idul Fitri.
Although on full alert, no extra security efforts were observed on Thursday and Friday at embassies, office buildings or malls.
Only two or three police officers were seen guarding each of the embassies in the Mega Kuningan office complex in South Jakarta on Thursday and Friday, while normal security measures -- with only one or two police officers on guard -- were also seen in several malls.
However, more police officers were seen at the J.W. Marriott Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton in Mega Kuningan on Thursday and Friday. Dozens of police officers with guns ready in their hands were seen guarding both hotels.
"Although it looks like we are deploying less personnel, dozens of detectives are monitoring embassies, malls and hotels," Komang said.