Indonesian Air Force Steps Up Security Ahead of King Salman's Visit to Bali
Jakarta. The Indonesian Air Force is stepping up security ahead of the arrival of Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali on Saturday (04/03).
King Salman and his entourage will be in Jakarta and Bogor, West Java, for an official state visit from Wednesday, before proceeding to Bali on Saturday for a five-day vacation.
Air Force personnel will be deployed to secure the commercial terminals on the island, Ngurah Rai Air Force Base commander Col. Wayan Superman said.
Fighter jets have also been placed on standby in Madiun, East Java, and Makassar, South Sulawesi.
"Fighter planes are being readied in both Madiun and Ujung Pandang [Makassar]. I think the travel time would be about 45 minutes – more or less – from both Iswahyudi and Sultan Hasanuddin airports. We are awaiting further instructions. Nobody else is allowed to mobilize these planes, because it is all command-based," Wayan said on Tuesday.
National Police deputy chief Comr. Gen. Syafruddin earlier said nearly 10,000 officers will be deployed to secure the visit by King Salman, who will be accompanied by an entourage of around 1,500 men.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will bestow Indonesia's highest honor on King Salman, in reciprocation of the honorary medal Jokowi received during his state visit to Saudi Arabia. The king is also expected to sign several agreements involving investment in infrastructure projects.
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