Police to Field Over 92,000 Personnel to Secure X'mas Celebrations
Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - The National Police is to deploy more than 92,000 personnel to ensure security during the 2013 Christmas and the 2014 New Year celebrations.
"The police will be assisted by 16,982 military personnel in maintaining security and public order," National Police Chief General Sutarman said in a written address read out by Acting Riau Governor Djohermansyah Djohan during a Christmas and New Year pacification roll-call here, over the weekend.
Besides that, the police will also be assisted by 35,473 personnel from concerned agencies such as the Transportation Service, regional government and the people.
Thus, Sutarman said, a total of 144,464 personnel will be involved in the 'Candle Light Operation' held to secure the Christmas and New Year festivities.
He said that the joint forces would be deployed in 1,962 security command posts and 602 public service posts in various locations across the country.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said recently that there were elements that had planned to disturb security during the year end celebrations.
"I have received a report from the National Police Chief about the plans of certain elements to disturb security and order at certain places," the President said.
Therefore, the President asked security officials to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
"I want all religious celebrations, whether it is for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or followers of Confucius, to be peaceful and without any security disturbances," the President stated at the Halim Perdanakusama military airbase, before departing for Tokyo recently.
The President also called on security officials to be on their guard against certain parties, who would probably take advantage of the momentum of Christmas and the New Year, to disturb the security situation.
"It is a political year and we have felt an escalating political climate in our country. Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint," he noted.
