Brimob Personnel From Central, East Java to Help Secure Jakarta Election
Semarang/Surabaya. At least 1,000 members of the National Police's Mobile Brigade Corps, or Brimob, from Central and East Java will assist their colleagues in the capital to secure the second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election on Wednesday (19/04).
Police have beef up security ahead of the election after reports of a planned mass gathering by several Muslim groups on voting day.
Central Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Djarod Padakova said 500 Brimob members from the province will be deployed in Jakarta at the request of the National Police.
The personnel departed from provincial capital Semarang by train on Monday, he added.
"The deployment period is flexible. As long as the personnel is still needed, they will stay [in Jakarta]," Djarod said, as reported by state-run news agency Antara.
He also called on Central Java residents not to join the planned mass gathering in Jakarta.
"No need to go to Jakarta. Just let the police secure the poll," Djarod said.
East Java Police also sent 500 Brimob members to Jakarta.
"Security has been stepped up in Jakarta, so we will deploy personnel to help the Jakarta Police in securing the April 19 gubernatorial election," East Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Frans Barung Mangera told news portal detik.com.
The Brimob personnel will be directed by the National Police, he added.
Police have meanwhile also banned all mass gatherings planned in Jakarta for Wednesday to avoid potential voter intimidation.
Members of the police and the Indonesian Military (TNI) will be allowed to check potential voters' identity cards and turn back those not registered as Jakarta residents.
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