"The president during his presence in Seoul to attend the 2nd Nuclear Safety Summit has instructed related authorities to anticipate possible situations following the rally against the government` plan to increase fuel price by April 1," Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said here on Monday.
President Yudhoyono, as quoted by Julian, called on the protesters to conduct their action peacefully.
Earlier, the government had announced its plan to raise the price of subsidized gasoline and diesel oil by respectively Rp1,500 to Rp6,000 a liter as of April 1, citing a surge in fuel subsidy as a result of spiraling global crude prices.
About 8,000 people are predicted to participate in the March 27 rally. The rally will be centered at Hotel Indonesia roundabouts, The House of Representatives Office and the National Monument.
The Jakarta Metropolitan police spokesman Rikwanto said he would deploy 22,000 personnel including 8,000 military personnel to guard vital objects in Jakarta and surrounding areas such as sea-ports, airports and toll roads.
The demonstrators, he said, will protest in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi especially at Hotel Indonesia round-about, the presidential palace and at the House of Representatives/the People`s Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR) building.
Rikwanto said that police have the authority to ask for assistance from the TNI in accordance with the police law in a bid to maintain public order.
In addition, the people should not worry about the information circulating that there will be anarchist protests from a number of elements of the community.
"We hope that the demonstrations will take place peacefully," he said, adding that if people are disturbed by any anarchist demonstrations then they should report it to police.
(A51/O001)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
