"I call on all parties to be careful and work together. It should not be left only to the police and military territorial command," the president said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has urged every party to actively prevent possible horizontal conflicts among communities, saying that prevention efforts are not solely the task of police and military personnel.

"I call on all parties to be careful and work together. It should not be left only to the police and military territorial command," the president said at Halim Perdanakusuma air force base here on Tuesday, prior to his departure for Britain and Laos for a working visit until November 6, 2012.

He added that regional administrations and local communities must jointly prevent any possible conflicts.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto called on prominent local civil society figures to help prevent communal conflicts in their respective regions.

"The point is that everything should not be left to the alertness of the Indonesian Defence Forces (TNI) and the National Police. All prominent figures, local administrations, governors and district heads should participate in this context," he said.

National Police Chief Timur Pradopo said security officers have been deployed at the venue of communal clashes in Lampung for security measures and investigation.

Sharing Minister Suyanto`s opinion, Pradopo also emphasized the important roles of local prominent figures and regional governments in preventing conflicts.

He added that legal enforcement will be upheld to maintain security and order in the conflict-hit area.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012