Troops secure Christmas
Troops secure Christmas
JAKARTA (JP): The Greater Jakarta Military Command will deploy additional troops to secure the capital and surrounding areas during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto said yesterday the number of personnel to be deployed will depend on the need.
"The troops are mobile. We are ready to field as many men as needed," he told The Jakarta Post after opening a bazaar marking the military command's 46th anniversary.
He said the military command will cooperate with the city police to maintain security during the holidays.
The city police will announce their preparations for the Christmas and year-end holidays today.
Last year, 14,000 military troops and police officers were deployed to safeguard Christmas and New Year celebrations in the city.
Wiranto said that the deployment of extra security forces is the last of a series of operations conducted by the military command to maintain security in the city this year.
"I hope no major crimes will happen up to the end of the year because we have conducted several operations to rid the Jakarta area from criminals," he said citing Operasi Kilat Jaya and Operasi Sapu Bersih.
He said that military and police officers would be deployed not only at Christmas and New Year's eve celebration sites, but also along the main streets and at bus terminals and railway stations.
"Many people will be wanting to go to their hometowns in Central and East Java and Sumatra to celebrate Christmas safely," he said.
Wiranto, also chairman of the Jakarta Agency for the Coordination of Support for the Development of National Stability (Bakorstanasda), warned that the city military command will not hesitate to take strict actions against criminals, hoodlums, or any groups who tried to disturb security.
"We will take stringent actions because all citizens have been upset by the horrific crimes, such as sadistic killings and burglaries, in the past," he said.
"We need no discussions and seminars to seek factors causing the crimes. We will quickly act when seeing any crimes or incidents that can disturb security," he said. (rms)