The Indonesian Police (Polri) has identified potential conflict-prone regions, and plan to increase security measures there.
Police in a number of regions, including Kalimantan, Bali, Yogyakarta, Riau and West Nusa Tenggara, as well as Maluku, have confirmed that they would cooperate with the National Defense Forces (TNI) to ensure security during the elections.
In Kotawaringin Timur (Kotim) district, Central Kalimantan Province, the Police and TNI will cooperate to maintain security for the general elections.
"We will conduct a joint "Cipta Kondisi" (Cipkon) operation with TNI personnel in our effort to ensure security during the elections," Kotim Police spokesman Commissioner Sukamat stated here on Friday.
He added that the joint Cipkon operation will be conducted regularly in the run up to the legislative and presidential elections.
Sukamat noted that patrols will be held at night entertainment centers and a number of hotels, suspected to be the location where drugs are sold and immoral activities occur.
Meanwhile, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu stated in Denpasar, Bali on Friday that the police will also cooperate with military personnel to ensure security for the elections.
"We will conduct a joint exercise with TNI in our effort to ensure security during the elections," Mokalu clarified.
He explained that besides TNI personnel, the Bali Police will work with the regional government, including the local General Election Commission and Election Supervisory Board.
The two-star general then expressed his hope that the maximum cooperation with the TNI and the regional government will create a safe and conducive situation for the elections.
He noted that around 12,800 security personnel will be deployed at a number of entry points in Bali to tackle the entry of possible troublemakers onto the resort island.
"Together with the TNI and assisted by all layers of the community, we will be able to create a safe and conducive environment in Bali for smooth elections," Mokalu added.
He also called on the political parties in Bali to prepare the region for the elections.
"We are well prepared to maintain security and have called upon all political parties across Bali to make the region conducive for staging elections," Mokalu added.
Meanwhile, Udayana Military Commander Major General Wisnu Bawa Tenaya added that the TNI was ready to cooperate with Polri to ensure security prior to and during the upcoming elections.
Therefore, he called on all military personnel in Bali to continue to remain alert and not be negligent in performing their duty of securing the elections.
"We will remain alert and not be negligent because we fully support the cooperation with Polri to secure the democratic elections, which are held every five years," Wisnu added.
While in Yogyakarta, more than 2,000 security personnel will also be deployed for election security and safety.
"The security arrangements will be intensified for all stages of the elections," Yogyakarta Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner R. Slamet Santoso said after staging the "Mantap Brata Progo" operation at Mandala Krida stadium on Friday.
Slamet noted that the police and military personnel, supported by public security elements, have conducted a number of joint exercises to improve the consolidation of election security.
According to Slamet, the potential for problems during elections in Yogyakarta will always be present, and should be anticipated in advance by taking preventive measures.
Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Mayor Haryadi Suyuti said such preventive measures were necessary to anticipate areas of vulnerability in the upcoming legislative and presidential elections.
"The preventive efforts are not only the task of police and military personnel but also the responsibility of all public elements and political parties," he noted.
In Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Mayor Ahyar Abduh on Friday called on all public groups to make a commitment to supporting the safety and success of the elections.
"The success of both legislative and presidential elections is our common task, including the government and the community, the political parties contesting in the elections, and legislative candidates," Ahyar said.
He asserted that regional security and a conducive atmosphere would be the decisive factors determining the success of the upcoming elections, and the public should support the police and military personnel to ensure security.
Earlier, the Head of Maintenance Security Police (Baharkam) of the National Police Headquarters, Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti, remarked that various factors could trigger conflicts in the conflict-prone regions, based on their past election histories.
"The conflict potential in North Maluku and Papua is quite high, due to their geographic conditions," he said, adding that the police have already made the necessary security arrangements to tackle the problem.
"We have issued directives with regard to coordination between the central and regional task forces in areas such as training, equipment, and personnel deployment," he went on.
According to him, the central task force will be made available only as a reserve force, in case the need for their assistance arises in the regions.
Therefore, National Police Chief General Sutarman has decided to hold more election security exercises.
Based on the data revealed by the Bawaslu, potential security disruptions may arise during voter registration, updating voters data, logistics procurement, election campaigns, voting, and vote counting.
In light of this, General Sutarman said the Indonesian Police would deploy 253,035 personnel to guard the general elections and to ensure security and safety of the people.
According to General Sutarman, the security measures would also involve 23,450 military officers and 1,091,556 civilian security personnel who would be in charge of protecting, among others, 186,172,508 eligible voters who will cast their votes in 545,778 polling stations.
Therefore, the National Police received Rp1 trillion as operational funds for security arrangements during the elections.
"We have received Rp1 trillion and are ready to provide security during the 2014 elections," General Sutarman stated, adding that the government might increase the operational budget, if necessary.
Earlier, spokesman of the National Police Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar said his force needs Rp1.28 trillion and Rp1.46 trillion to secure the legislative and presidential elections, respectively.
Meanwhile, the military said it requires about Rp300 billion to help the police beef up security arrangements during the elections.
"According to the governments plans, we will receive around Rp100 billion for handling the security arrangements. Ideally, we need Rp300 billion," Chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) General Moeldoko said.
Moeldoko pointed out that a budget of Rp100 billion was not sufficient for the military to provide adequate security coverage.
He noted that the funds are needed to arm soldiers with adequate riot control equipment.
Moeldoko stated that the military and the police are committed to providing security during the elections and will be on the front line throughout the electoral process. (*)
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
