The National Police are anticipating an increasingly tense atmosphere in Jakarta in the lead up to the gubernatorial election in 2017.

'€œLocal politics have started heating up, particularly in Jakarta prior to the regional election there. If we do not take anticipatory steps, conflicts related to other unresolved issues will surface,'€ National Police chief Gen. Badrodin Haiti said after a meeting at Jakarta Police's headquarters on Wednesday.

Badrodin said Jakarta was among regions that would be given special attention by the police during the simultaneous regional elections to elect governors, mayors and regents in over 100 constituencies nationwide.

In Jakarta, incumbent Governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama, who will seek reelection through an independent ticket, is the strongest candidate. Political parties have started to consider which candidates they will back, but none have made a decision.

Ahok'€™s major contenders include former justice and human right minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, former youth and sports minister Adhyaksa Dault, businessman Sandiaga Uno and Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini.

Early anticipation of political tension related to the race is needed to prevent problems, such as physical clashes among supporters of different candidates, from escalating, said Badrodin.

 '€œThe atmosphere of local politics has started to escalate as problems in Jakarta are more complex. We have to anticipate more demonstrations over the coming days,'€ said Badrodin as reported by kompas.com.

He said that the police had communicated with other related parties to ensure that Jakarta would remain peaceful. (bbn)(+)

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