TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said the police had stepped up the security status to alert level one last night following the announcement of increased fuel prices by President Joko Widodo on Monday night, November 17, 2014.
Rikwanto said the decision was made to anticipate mobilization of mobs and possible uproar in light of the president’s announcement.
“Each unit is moving. We are patrolling all areas throughout the night and securing all 24-hour gas stations,” he told Tempo on Monday.
Rikwanto said snaking queues were imminent at gas stations as people were likely to buy fuels before their prices rose. He added tension was likely to escalate, yet he had yet to receive reports of mob mobilization.
“I haven’t received the reports. The sure thing is, the police are on alert level one to secure the situation after the announcement of the fuel price hike,” he said.
DEWI SUCI RAHAYU