Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan
Businesses in Medan are requesting additional police protection ahead of and during the commemoration of World Labor Day on Monday, which some fear could turn violent.
PT Medan Industrial Estate (KIM) marketing manager Jefri Sirait said Friday the company had asked police to increase their presence at the industrial complex in anticipation of violence by workers rallying to mark Labor Day.
""Violence could occur, which is why we have asked for extra protection from the police. We don't want to let our investors down,"" Jefri told The Jakarta Post.
He said police had promised to station 400 armed officers in the area. ""The police already began posting some officers here today (Friday) to secure vital company assets,"" Jefri said.
PT KIM is home to 322 companies, including 26 foreign-owned companies.
He said the 30,000 workers employed at the industrial estate would not be allowed to take part in rallies Monday.
Jefri said it was vital that KIM was protected, because any disturbance at the industrial estate would have an adverse effect on the business sector in Medan and North Sumatra province.
To address concerns of violence during Labor Day marches, representatives of different government agencies held a meeting Friday at the North Sumatra gubernatorial office in Medan.
The closed-door meeting, presided over by Governor Rudolf Pardede, lasted about three hours. It was attended by the head of the local Bukit Barisan Military Command, Maj. Gen. Liliek AS, North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, the head of the local prosecutor's office, Hartoyo, Medan Mayor Abdilah and Deli Serdang Regent Amri Tambunan.
The governor refused to comment on the meeting, but provincial spokesman Eddy Sofyan said those in attendance discussed all the possible scenarios during labor rallies throughout the province Monday.
Eddy said the provincial administration had not raised the security level, and remained confident workers in North Sumatra would mark the day with peaceful rallies.
Asked if the meeting discussed a possible shoot-on-sight order for workers who became involved in acts of violence, Eddy said authorities would be ""persuasive"" in dealing with any demonstrators who broke the law.
""But as was conveyed during the meeting, security forces will not act repressively when dealing with demonstrators,"" said Eddy, quoting the military and police commanders.
Based on interviews with several figures in the labor movement, not all labor organizations plan to take part in rallies Monday.
The local secretary of the All-Indonesia Workers Union, Sudarso, said union members would not take to the streets on Labor Day.
However, Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union coordinator Edward Pakpahan said the union would mobilize 7,000 members to mark Labor Day.
Of these 7,000 members, 5,000 will come from the town of Pematang Siantar and Simalungun and Asahan regencies, while the other 2,000 will be from Medan and Deli Serdang regency, he said.
""I have ordered all members to avoid any sort of destructive behavior during the celebration,"" Edward said Friday.
He said he had heard rumors that certain groups would attempt to use the rallies to create disturbances, and warned union members not to be provoked.
