Bali Police beef up security

DENPASAR: Police have beefed up security on the island ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday, which will coincide with the commemoration of the deadly Oct. 12, 2002, bombings.

The main perpetrators of the 2002 attacks, which killed 202 people, are awaiting execution after the Supreme Court rejected their final appeals.

Security at the Gilimanuk and Padangbai seaports and Ngurah airport has been tightened.

The main roads linking regencies in the eastern and western parts of the island and Denpasar will be more tightly monitored.

""The police chief, Insp. Gen. Paulus Purwoko, has ordered the Jembrana, Tabanan and Badung police precincts to carry out security checks on travelers entering Bali,"" police spokesman A.S. Reniban told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The security operation, named Ketupat Agung, will also involve traditional community guards (pecalang) and military soldiers.

Idul Fitri is expected to fall on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14.

However, several groups, including Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization, have determined the first day of Idul Fitri will fall on Oct. 12. -- JP