Senayan closed to outsiders during rally
JAKARTA (JP): Security authorities have established regulations for people joining Sunday's mass prayer at the Gelora Bung Karno sports complex, and called on nonparticipants to avoid entrance points to the venue.
Central Jakarta Police Operation Control Command chief Comr. P. Waterpaw said on Thursday that most sections of road surrounding the sports complex would be reserved for participants of the gathering to park their vehicles.
They include both of Jl. Sudirman's fast lanes, stretching from the Semanggi cloverleaf to the Senayan intersection, Jl. Asia Afrika, Jl. Pintu Delapan and Jl. Pintu Gelora.
Waterpaw said the closure would be effective from 5 a.m. until 3 p.m.. The prayer itself is slated to begin at 6 a.m. and finish four hours later.
"We will not ban people from entering the sports complex for exercise, or stop them traveling on the streets around the venue during the gathering, but for their own convenience it would be better if they avoided the area," Waterpaw said after a coordination meeting presided over by Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang.
Also attending the meeting were key members of the event's organizing committee.
The Central Jakarta Police have been appointed to handle security during the mass prayer.
The gathering's committee member in charge of security, Tatang Hidayat, said there would be some 160,000 people taking part in the event. But police have anticipated an increase in the number to up to 1 million.
Waterpaw said participants of the mass prayer would be obliged to wear Muslim clothing. Headbands, flags and banners are banned, as well as any form of weapons.
Participants will be allowed to enter the sports complex from 5 a.m. through all entrances. By 3 p.m. the crowd should have vacated the venue, Waterpaw said.
A total of 2,430 police, military and civilian security troops will be deployed around the sports complex. The security arrangements concentrate on five main posts, including the eastern parking lot and all entrances to the complex.
Of the security personnel, 1,000 are police officers, 400 Indonesian Military personnel, 300 Banser personnel, 300 Pagar Nusa pencak silat martial art fighters and 150 Garda Bangsa Muslim organization volunteers.
Tatang said mass prayer participants from East Java were accommodated at the Indonesian haj dormitory (PHI) in Cempaka Putih and at several hotels on Jl. Jaksa, all in Central Jakarta.
Waterpaw said the public could help the police in maintaining order during the event, but for technical reasons they are required to wear items identifying their role, which will be provided by police. (01)