Police deploy thousands personnel to guard anti-ACFTA rally in Bandung

West Java Police have deployed at least 2,000 personnel, including 720 Mobile Brigade officers, to guard thousands of workers as they staged rally against the free trade agreement between ASEAN and China (ACFTA) in front of the Gedung Sate provincial administration office on Wednesday.

Bandung City Police Deputy Chief  Adj. Sr. Comr. Purwolelono told tempointeraktif.com that the personnel deployment aimed at guarding the rallies, not limiting them.

“Not all personnel deployed to the office. Some guard the city's main entry points,” he said.

The ACFTA, which takes effect in Jan. 1, 2010, has met resistance from some local industries, which fear they may be unable to compete against cheap products from China.

The government has designed plans to protect local industries without violating any articles stipulated under ACFTA, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Radjasa said recently.