The move is part of efforts to make sure that around 16 thousand athletes, coaches, and officials from a total of 45 Asian countries who have signed up to participate in the 2018 Asian Games do not have worry about terrorism.
Their safety and security during the games, which will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2, will be guaranteed by the government and the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC).
INASGOC and the Indonesian government will increase security arrangements by deploying special teams from the National Defense Forces and National Police (Polri) to counter possible terror threats.
Terrorism, aside from street crime, is considered a major threat, but Polri Chief General Tito Karnavian said his forces are prepared, with ranks of policemen ready for deployment to secure the venues.
Following recent bomb attacks in Surabaya, East Java, Polri is moving to preempt any threats by involving various security elements to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future, especially during the Asian Games.
According to Karnavian, the police will reinforce security at venues and commands in regions that will host Asian Games events, including South Sumatra, Jakarta, West Java, and Banten.
"The four regional commands will employ an operational concept that involves other agencies such as the military and local administrations," the National Police chief remarked on Thursday. "There will also be CCTVs and command posts that will be made available."
Karnavian added that the police would also deal with the issue of street crimes to establish a general sense of security as guests from 45 countries visit the country.
Police have so far arrested 1,500 street criminals in West Java and 50 people involved in street crimes in Jakarta.
House Speaker Speaker Bambang Soesatyo said the government has the capability to prevent terror incidents during the Asian Games, because the police, the military, and the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) would work together to ensure the security of everyone participating in the event.
Terrorists are looking for any opportunity to spread terror, so the government must take the necessary steps to ensure security during the games, Soesatyo said.
The Municipal Public Order Police of Jakarta will also deploy thousands of special personnel from its own ranks to provide security during the event.
A total of 1,637 special personnel from the Municipal Police will be deployed at three main points: the athletes` homesteads, the main arena for the games, and road segments where athletes will pass.
The special personnel, who will also be stationed at crowded places such as tourist locations and shopping areas or malls, will operate in morning and evening shifts from the run-up to the games until its completion.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Youth and Sports Office earlier stated that efforts to promote the event are still being carried out in all areas of Jakarta Province.
"The promotion of the Asian Games will continue to be intensified in all areas," the head of the Jakarta Youth and Sports Office, Ratiyono, stated, adding that the office will promote the games on July 8 in all sub-districts in the cities of Central Jakarta and West Jakarta.
"After that, we will continue to promote the event in North Jakarta City and Kepulauan Seribu District on July 15," he remarked.
He added that promotional activities, in the form of torch relays between districts led by mayors and deputy mayors of relevant areas , have already been conducted in sub-districts in the cities of South Jakarta and East Jakarta.
In addition, the Special Jakarta Capital City Health Office said that it would deploy hundreds of medical personnel to provide health services during the 2018 Asian Games.
A total of 688 medical personnel, including doctors and nurses, will be mobilized to serve and provide medical assistance to injured Asian Games participants.
The medical personnel, who will be deployed along with ambulance units in a number of Asian Games venues, have attended a training on sports injuries.
Preparations for the quadrennial sporting event in Jakarta and Palembang are expected to run in a smooth, safe, and vibrant manner and achieve great success thanks to support from various parties, including a number of state-owned enterprises, telecommunications companies, and national and international companies.
PT Indofood, a major Indonesian company involved in the food industry, is ramping up support for the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) by seling instant noodles and dairy products with specialized Asian Games packaging.
The INASGOC has also received full support from the publicly-listed PT Astra International, which will provide hundreds of operational vehicles to support the games.
PT Astra International is an Indonesia-based company with seven major business segments, namely automotive, financial services, heavy equipment and mining, agribusiness, infrastructure and logistics, information technology, and property.
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Bustanuddin
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
