Bali pledges tight security for Obama visit

Bali says it is ready to implement tight security measures when US President Barack Obama attends an international meeting of leaders at the East Asia Plus Summit in Bali in November this year.

Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Leonard Louk told reporters on Wednesday that he had received orders to hold a series of joint military exercises with related parties to secure the visit of state leaders at the upcoming summit.

The Indonesian Military would work closely with the police as well as security offices from the United States and other participating countries in securing the East Asia Plus Summit. More than 20 state leaders have announced they will attend the summit.

President Obama previously postponed a plan to holiday in Bali with his family in 2010.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika received confirmation on May 25 from the US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot A. Marciel about Obama’s November visit.

Gen. Leonard said he would deploy 1,000 soldiers to secure the summit.

“Training and rehearsals for security measures are now focused on ensuring the safety of the VIPs and strategic venues.”

The general said security measures for state leaders visiting Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia, including Bali, had been strictly standardized in accordance with international security qualifications.

“If there are security officers from the United States or other countries, we will closely coordinate with them,” he said.

The US usually deploys its own security officers during its presidents’ visits. Hundreds of officers were deployed to secure locations in Bali, including the Uluwatu Hindu Temple in Jimbaran and Monkey Forest in Ubud, when President Obama planned to visit the island in 2010. However, the plan was cancelled.

In anticipating terrorist threats during the summit, the general confirmed that security at some entry and exit points in Bali would be tightened, especially Ngurah Rai International Airport and the harbors in Benoa, Gilimanuk, in West Bali (linking Java) and Padang Bai in East Bali, which links Bali with West and East Nusa Tenggara provinces.

Separately, the Bali Police have also prepared to deploy special forces to ensure the safety of the 20 state leaders and participants of the November summit.

Bali Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Hariadi said the police would lead the security operation, which would be supported by the Indonesian Military.

“We have not received any information about the destinations in President Obama’s itinerary for his Bali visit,” Hariadi said.

Ngurah Wijaya, head of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tourist Industry, warmly welcomed the upcoming East Asia Plus Summit, saying it could boost the tourism industry in Bali and Indonesia in general.

“Bali must be ready to welcome the VIP leaders of important countries like the United States and others,” Wijaya said.