Prabowo Attends Staple Goods Distribution at Monas, 7,728 Combined Personnel on Alert to Prevent Unrest

As many as 7,728 combined personnel from the TNI, Police, and DKI Jakarta Provincial Government were deployed to secure the staple goods distribution and subsidised market event at Lapangan Ikada, in the Monas area, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (28/3).

Deputy Chief of Metro Jaya Police, Brigadier General Dekananto Eko Purwono, directly led the personnel readiness roll call that afternoon. He emphasised that all personnel must be fully alert, considering the discrepancy between the number of distributed coupons and the main area’s capacity.

“This roll call is not a formality; it is the final check on personnel readiness and equipment. Officers at the entrances must be firm. Only those with tickets and wristbands are allowed entry; others are not permitted to avoid unrest,” Dekananto stated during his briefing.

Security forces are paying special attention to the potential surge in crowds. It is known that the organising committee distributed around 100,000 coupons but only provided 4,000 tickets for residents allowed into the main area. The series of events is scheduled to run from 3:00 PM WIB to 9:00 PM WIB.

In addition to managing crowd flow, Dekananto instructed his subordinates to be wary of criminal acts amid the crowds, such as pickpocketing and snatching.

“Security must be carried out in a humane manner but remain firm. Do not let any incident occur, no matter how small, in the field,” he said.

The thousands of personnel have now been deployed to various strategic points, from the Monas bowl area and entrances to the main roads around Medan Merdeka North, South, West, and East.