Security forces deployed in capital to assure public

JAKARTA (JP): The heavy presence of security forces at many shopping centers, office buildings and on the streets yesterday was a deliberate attempt to assure people that the capital is safe, officials said.

"What you see today on the streets is part of Sispamkota," Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman told reporters in the evening, referring to a joint security system for the capital.

"Actually it's normal. We are officers who have to be ready anywhere, anytime.

"The system was launched together with the Jakarta Military Command and other related institutions. Our priority is to secure Jakarta," Noegroho added.

Since early yesterday morning, several main streets, parks, banks, offices and malls in the city have been guarded heavily by military squads and police officers.

Fully armed and attired in their respective uniforms, the forces and their trucks, cars and motorcycles have been deployed at several intersections and buildings.

Among the locations guarded tightly yesterday were the popular Blok M shopping area, several upmarket residential complexes in Kebayoran Baru, the Semanggi cloverleaf, all in South Jakarta; Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, National Monument park and its surroundings in Central Jakarta; buildings and shopping centers on Jl. Gajah Mada, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jl. S. Parman in West Jakarta; and shopping areas in Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta.

According to Jakarta Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi, the joint patrol involved 200 personnel from his command, Jakarta Police, the Army's Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad), the marines and the Army's special force (Kopassus).

"The troops will be deployed as long as the people need their presence," Nachrowi told The Jakarta Post.

He said the personnel would be moved from one place to another, depending upon people's needs.

Asked why the troops were heavily armed, Nachrowi said: "If they were not armed and not in uniform, people would not believe that Jakarta is safe."

He urged the public not to be adverse to the security forces' presence.

"Come on. We just want to show that there's no riot and all the streets are safe," Nachrowi said.

He insisted that the presence of the joint forces had nothing to do with a ceremony held by Trisakti University to mark the 40th day of the May 12 shooting incident in which four student died.

According to Jakarta Military Police Commander Col. Hendardji, the troops deployed were part of routine security.

"It is common for us to prepare the officers by doing some training in a bid to be ready to face any challenge. The same thing goes today," Hendardji told the Post.

Like all security forces officers, they were assigned to protect and guard society.

"Thus, it's normal if we give extra attention to security matters. Please do not make such a big fuss out of it.

"After all, we want things to be better for everyone, and aren't they?" he added. (edt/ivy)