Police and Military Security for Christmas

By Barrie | December 23rd, 2007 | No Comments

The Police, with the back-up of the Indonesian Military, are gearing up for heightened security operations during Christmas
and New Year’s celebrations in West and Central Java, an official said. In West Java, 19,000 police officers will be deployed to safeguard the Christmas processions of 412 churches throughout the province.

West Java Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Dade Ahmad said Thursday the number of officers to be deployed for Christmas security accounted for a third of the province’s total police force.
Police will also be on hand at malls, supermarkets and tourism sites, he said.

“The security operation will be focused on anticipating bomb threats,” Dade said.

The Police will be assisted by 2,000 soldiers, Boy Scouts and police from cities and regencies in West Java.

Commander of the Diponegoro Military Maj. Gen. Agus Suyitno said the Army was prepared to handle any terrorist threat.

“We have alerted all 32,400 soldiers. We don’t want terrorists to touch Central Java again,” Agus said in Purwokerto on Wednesday, from the sidelines of a ceremony commemorating the Army’s anniversary.

Agus said he knew Central Java had become a target for terrorists, and that the combined celebrations of a religious holiday and New Year’s Eve were seen by terrorists as an opportune time to attack.

“(But) we hope terrorists do not to enter Central Java again. For the time being all regencies in Central Java have been declared free of terrorist actions, and hot spots no longer exist,” he said.

In the past, cities in Central Java were used as centers for terrorist operations. Last June, terrorist Abu Dujana from the group led by fugitive Noordim M. Top was captured in Banyumas, Central Java.

Members of the same group were also arrested in Wonosobo and Cilacap.

“We no longer want them (the terrorists) to steal the moment. We’re very serious about protecting the unity of the NKRI (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia). We’ve deployed all personnel,” Agus said.

The Wednesday celebration included a display of military equipment, and also commemorated the late Gen. Soedirman, the founder of the Indonesian Military.
Yuli Tri Suwarni and Agus Maryono