Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - About 192,000 police are deployed to secure Christmas celebrations across Indonesia, stated Chief of National police General Sutarman here, on Tuesday.
According to Sutarman, the security measure will be conducted starting December 23 to January 1, 2014, in churches and other public places such as bus stations, airport, seaport and tourist sites.
Earlier, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had warned that there were elements that had planned to disturb the peace during the year end celebrations.
"I have received a report from the National Police Chief about the plans of certain elements to disturb security and order at certain places," the President had said.
Therefore, the President asked security officials to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
"I want all religious celebrations, whether it is for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or followers of Confucius, to be peaceful and without any security disturbances," the President had stated.
Yudhoyono also called on all security officials to be on their guard against certain parties, who would probably take advantage of the momentum of Christmas and the New Year, to disturb the security situation.
"It is a political year and we have felt an escalating political climate in our country. Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint," he had noted.
To anticipate unwanted happenings, the head of state encouraged security and law enforcement officials to work extra hard to ensure security.
(Reporting by GNC Aryani/Translating and editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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