Security tightened for Idul Fitri
Security tightened for Idul Fitri
Damar Harsanto and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Jakarta authorities on Monday said they would station bomb squads
at 18 locations across the city to ensure that peace and order
reigned during the Idul Fitri celebrations.
"Bomb squads from Detachment 88 will be stationed at 18
locations, where the exodus is centered; at airports, bus
terminals, seaports, and railway stations to anticipate possible
bombing attacks," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani
said at City Hall on the sidelines of a Jakarta authorities
meeting to discuss security arrangements during the Idul Fitri
holiday.
Idul Fitri ends the fasting month and falls on Nov. 3 and 4.
Some 2.5 million Jakarta residents are expected to leave for
their hometowns to celebrate the festivities there.
Firman said the heightened security measures were to
anticipate possible terror attacks during Idul Fitri following
the Oct. 1 Bali bombings that killed at least 23 and injured
nearly 200 others.
"We have received information from Detachment 88 that there is
a high possibility of bomb attacks here during the Idul Fitri
celebrations," he said.
Firman stressed, however, that these attacks were not the only
security concerns.
"In addition to those 18 locations, we have also established
124 command posts across the city, which we have identified as
areas prone to crime," said Firman, adding that city police would
deploy some 17,000 officers, or two-third of the total force
there.
Governor Sutiyoso said soldiers from the Jakarta Command and
city administration officials would help back up police to secure
the capital.
"We will intensify patrols at public places, places of
worship, public facilities and residential estates," said
Sutiyoso, who is also the head of the Jakarta Authority, which
include police, the military, prosecutors's office officials and
the city council.
He also said the Jakarta Transportation Agency had anticipated
the surge of people leaving the city, which is expected to peak
three days before the Idul Fitri holiday.
"Should the flow of people leaving exceed the capacity of the
existing transportation armada, we have prepared back-up fleets,
including city buses and military trucks, to transport the
holidaymakers," he asserted.
The administration warned residents to remain vigilant about
possible thefts targeting vacant homes and fires.
The City Transportation Agency, City Public Order Officers,
City Fire Department and City Health Agency would also mobilize
officers to serve the public.
Fire Department head Johnny Pangaribuan said that all 2,500
firefighters would be on call during the holiday to anticipate
fires.
Public Order Agency head Haryanto Bajuri said that all 6,000
officers in his agency would remain in the city during the
holiday, with about half of the force, or 3,000, assigned to help
the police.
"The rest of 3,000 officers will carry out routine jobs, like
clearing river banks of illegal squatters and sidewalks of
makeshift stalls belonging to street vendors," he said.