Police Ensures 2009 Campaign Safety

VIVAnews - The General Elections campaign has always been identified with festivity, high-tempered mass of people, and riot potential. The Deputy Chief of Indonesian Police Commissioner Gen. Makbul Padmanegara agrees with the Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik that the 2009 General Elections can be made into one of the tourism objects.

"Therefore, the [domestic] people will not be afraid going out when there's a campaign. The international community will not be afraid of going to Indonesia in March for the next 21 days ahead despite the campaign [on going] in Indonesia," said Padmanegara in his welcoming speech at the "Campaign Peace Declaration" event on Monday, March 16.

Therefore, the police will support actions to create a peaceful campaign. "We don't take side with any political party, that's [our] commitment," he said, giving a speech on behalf of the Chief of Indonesian Police, General Bambang Hendarso Danuri.

To secure the General Elections, the police will prepare two-thirds of its force, i.e. 246,034 officers. They will be aided by 1,223,273 personnel from public protection and the Indonesia Military.

The Chief of Indonesian Police conducted "2009 Mantap Brata Operation" to secure the 2009 General Elections event. Previously, Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri has stated that the security will be done by opening and closing several spots. The security measure will also be taken in 611,634 voting spots.

--

Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman