Senayan closed to outsiders during rally

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)