Stop protesting Obama's visit: Nat'l Police

The National Police have asked the public to stop protesting the visit of US President Barack Obama to Indonesia, citing the disasters that have struck the country over the last few weeks.

“With the distressing conditions at Merapi and the Mentawai Islands, we hope the protests will cease,” National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Iskandar Hasan said on Monday.

Obama is scheduled for a two-day visit to Indonesia on Tuesday, after cancelling two previously planned visits this year.

Iskandar said the police, who would deploy at least 8,000 officers for Obama’s visit, would be managing the “third ring” of security that deals directly with the public.

"If protests are constructive then we will help to secure them," he said.

Several protests over the visit have occurred over the last few days.
 
Last Friday a group of students in Bandung, West Java, held a peaceful rally against the visit.