Public advised not to told mass meetings during MPR session

JAKARTA (JP): The police are advising people not to hold meetings, conferences, gatherings or parties involving a large number of people from Feb. 22 to March 18, from seven days before through to seven days after the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said yesterday that the advice applied particularly to political, mass and non-governmental organizations.

"We suggest that no activities involving a large number of people, or that are particularly related to political matters, be held during that period of time," he said.

"It doesn't mean that we're banning all activities. But it would be better for people to reschedule their plans, putting such activities before or after the assembly period," Da'i said.

The General Session, to be held from March 1 to March 11, will elect a president for the 1998-2003 period. Any major activities, involving a large number of people, to be held between Feb. 22 and March 18 should be immediately rescheduled.

He said that the suggestion was being given for the benefit of the organizers of events themselves, especially those whose activities could not be held without police permission.

"For one thing, we're just trying to avoid your activities or the crowd who will attend the activities, from being affected by, say unpredictable riots, or being 'used' by some irresponsible people for their own purposes," he said.

However, he emphasized that the advice was not offered in anticipation of a tense political situation during the period.

Da'i said that his office will not issue any permits for such activities during the period. "Our officers will be busy with our main program, providing security for general assembly," he said.

Police regulations state that activities, which are held in public places, involve a large number of people, are open to the public or require visitors to pay an entrance fees, may only be held if the organizers obtained police permission. Such activities include bazaars, festivals, fairs, carnivals, parades, seminars, meetings and conferences.

However, Da'i confirmed that mass activities which contain no political overtones, such as sporting events, could still be held during the period. Da'i also said that religious activities, feasts celebrating circumcision and personal matters, such as birthday, engagement or wedding, parties will be unaffected.

"However, if the activities involve an extraordinary number of people, or if you have concerns about safety, and rescheduling your event would not hurt you, then you'd be wise to do so", he said. (cst)