Jakarta On Number One Alert Status Starting Today
Friday, 28 April, 2006 | 15:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Jakarta has been given the status of number one alert status starting today through May 21. “This means that all the alert forces are in their position. They may not leave Jakarta. So if the situation changes suddenly, they (all forces) will be ready for duty,” said the Greater Jakarta Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Firman Gani, when deploying troops at the National Monument, this morning (28/4).

Fifteen thousand police personnel, the members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI), and the Jakarta Provincial Government officials attended the parade starting at 8am Western Indonesian Time (WIB). They are to secure Jakarta for the labor demonstration on May 1. “This is preparing for the demonstration so that it is peaceful and orderly,” said the Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

Firman Gani predicts around 30,000 participants will be in the demonstration on World Labor Day. The security procedures to be carried out by the police have to do with the use of firearms according to measured and gradual procedures. If the crowd sets a fire, according to Firman, the police are to give three warning shots. By the third shot, if the warning is still ignored, the demonstrators will be shot in the legs. “If he or she fights back using firearms or sharp weapons, the officers will shoot,” he said.

TNI has trained 5,000 soldiers from all forces. Each force is escorted by the Military Police to prevent the possibility of a human rights violation. TNI, according to the Greater Jakarta Regional Military Commander, Major General Agustadi Sasongko Pramono, will be deployed as soon as the police ask for assistance.

Fanny