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.