TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Sr. Comr. Rikwanto, Head of Public Relation at the Jakarta Metro Police (Polda Metro) expressed his optimism that the May Day rally planned to be held on May 1, will run peacefully.
“We are certain, Insya Allah (if God permits), it will be peaceful,” he said to Tempo on Sunday.
Rikwanto informed that Polda Metro has prepared 21,000 officers which consists of Polda Metro officers, resort and sector police officers, Mobile Brigade (Brimob), Indonesian Military (TNI) Regional Military Command and Resort Command, as well as public order officers (locally known as Satpol PP). The officers will anticipate any violent actions that can possibly occured during the May Day rally.
Rikwanto predicted that the number participants in the rally will reach thousands of people. However, until today, he confirmed that there has not been any request to hold protest.
“They usually report on D-3,” he said.
Rikwanto also welcomes the Jakarta administration’s plan to provide entertainments for the laborers, hoping that it would alleviate rising tensions.
“It can be a distraction for the protesters as it calms the situation.”
However, there has not been any news from the Jakarta administration regarding the plan.
ATMI PERTIWI