South Sumatra Police Deploy 2,425 Personnel to Secure Good Friday in the Land of Sriwijaya
The South Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumsel) is deploying 2,671 combined personnel, consisting of 2,425 Indonesian National Police (Polri) members and 246 Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) soldiers, to tightly secure 404 church sites across 17 districts and cities in South Sumatra. This measure is intended to guarantee the safety of Good Friday worship in the Land of Sriwijaya.
As exemplified by the Head of the Palembang Metropolitan Police Resort, Senior Commissioner Sonny Mahar Budi Adityawan, on Friday (4 April 2026). He conducted a direct inspection of security arrangements at St Joseph Church and Palembang’s Santa Maria Cathedral Church to ensure every aspect of security operates optimally.
Similar steps were taken by the Head of Banyuasin Police Resort, Adjutant Chief Commissioner Risnan Aldino, who surveyed several places of worship from Seterio Ward to Betung Subdistrict. Likewise, the Head of Musi Rawas Police Resort, Adjutant Chief Commissioner Agung Adhitya Pranata, led security efforts in the Tugumulyo area to ensure the congregation’s worship proceeds in serenity.
“This scale of security is distributed evenly across various jurisdictions to ensure no gaps for public order and security disturbances,” stated the Polda Sumsel caption.
For instance, in Palembang City, 510 personnel are on standby to guard 64 churches. Meanwhile, in Banyuasin Regency, 171 personnel are protecting 47 worship sites. In other areas such as Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), 122 personnel are deployed for 41 churches, and in Muara Enim, 230 personnel are assigned to secure 27 worship locations.
“This strengthening strategy is part of the Easter Worship Security Operation 2026, which runs for four days, from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday ahead,” he said.
In its implementation, Polda Sumsel prioritises preemptive and preventive actions with a highly humane and persuasive approach. Before the worship series begins, the Bomb Disposal Unit from the Mobile Brigade (Sat Brimob) of Polda Sumsel has conducted thorough sterilisations at every corner of the churches to ensure the sites are completely free from dangerous objects.
Field personnel are dressed in green vests for easy recognition by the congregation needing assistance. Additionally, officers are prohibited from carrying firearms without specific orders from superiors to avoid an intimidating impression and preserve the sanctity of the worship atmosphere.
Beyond church area security, police officers are also providing other public services, from traffic flow management by the Traffic Security Task Force to prevent congestion, to the provision of medical teams from the Police Health Service (Dokkes Polri) for congregation members requiring emergency health assistance.
“Through cross-sectoral synergy and this service-oriented approach, Polda Sumsel is determined to nurture tolerance and maintain South Sumatra’s reputation as a zero-conflict region. The presence of Polri at every church gate is concrete proof that the state is always present to accompany the community, ensuring peace and religious harmony remain upheld in the Land of Sriwijaya,” he added.