Indonesian Police focus on securing tourism areas

Joint forces of the Indonesian National Police, military, and local security officers will focus on securing tourism areas after Christmas or ahead of the New Year`s Eve celebrations.

"Our main mission now (after Christmas) is to secure tourism spots, ports, stations, airports, and shopping centers," Brig. Gen. Pol. M Iqbal, the spokesperson, noted in Jakarta, Tuesday.

He stated that police officers will work along with the military troops and people to anticipate all forms of terrors.

Iqbal noted that some officers were currently deployed at tourism attractions, such as the Ragunan Zoo, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol theme park, and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah recreational park in Jakarta.

"Our officers will be ready under any circumstances before and after the incidents occur," Iqbal stressed.

Iqbal revealed that during the mass leave on Tuesday (Dec 26), the traffic in Jakarta was relatively clear, as most city residents were celebrating their holidays out of town in some provinces, such as West Java, Central Java, or East Java.

Hence, during Christmas and ahead of the New Year`s Eve, the police have forecast traffic jams on some routes in Nagreg, Cikopo, highways along the North Coastal Lines (Pantura), and the southern lines.

Vehicular traffic will start increasing on late Dec 26, but the peak will be witnessed on Jan 1 after the New Year`s celebrations.

The police, military, and local security personnel have established coordination by outlining some strategies to divert traffic when congestion occurs.

On a separate occasion, Iqbal also stated that police officers will remain vigil by taking precautionary measures in order to secure the festivities.

However, he called on the people to raise awareness among those residing in their neighborhood in order to halt any terror acts that may occur ahead of the New Year`s Eve.

Earlier on Friday (Dec 22), the National Police had launched the "great candle" operation in a bid to maintain public order and prevent any terror acts during the Christmas and New Year`s Eve celebrations.

The National Police had deployed more than 141 thousand officers, including some 85 thousand police personnel and 15 thousand military troops

Source: ANTARA