Police up security ahead of Idul Fitri

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police will beef up security in the city and the surrounding areas for the Idul Fitri holiday on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.

The tightened security will begin 10 days prior to the holiday, and will last until 10 days after Idul Fitri.

"For the time being, we have increased security in the capital and the situation is still quite safe," city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said on Friday.

He said the reason for increasing security 10 days before Idul Fitri was because many companies and individuals withdrew money from banks during this period, while vendors deposited money.

"We will concentrate the security on banks and business areas," he said.

With many Jakartans expected to go out of the city during the holidays, police will also increase their patrols in housing complexes. -- JP