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Security heightened for NYE in anticipation of terror attacks
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Police officers stand guard in a residential neighborhood where police conducted a raid on a house used by suspected militants in Tangerang on Dec. 21. Indonesian police said three suspected militants, allegedly planning a holiday season suicide bombing, were killed in the raid Wednesday on the outskirts of Jakarta in the second suspected imminent attack to be foiled in less than two weeks. (AP/Tatan Syuflana)
P
olice in major cities nationwide have prepared for tight security measures amid potential terror attacks at New Year's Eve celebrations.
In a series of raids in recent weeks, anti-terrorism police discovered a number of suspects planning bombings during the year-end holiday in several places and acted in response, including shooting three of the suspects in a gun battle on the outskirts of the capital.
In the country’s top tourist destination Bali, as many as 1,684 police personnel will be deployed for NYE celebrations, along with 344 military officers and 1,697 personnel from other institutions.
Balinese traditional security guards, known as pecalang, and members of social organizations will also take part in the security operation.
(Read also: Bali Police on alert after small bomb found in Ubud)
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Sugeng Priyanto said that the police would heighten security for this year’s operation following recent terror threats in the country. Last week, Bali police personnel detonated a low-explosive device inside a bag in the island’s popular tourist district Ubud in Gianyar Regency.
"We have increased our vigilance this year. We are aware of a series of terror threats and the arrests of terror suspects in many places in Indonesia recently," Sugeng said, adding that he hoped Bali would remain safe during New Year’s Eve.
Sugeng further said that his corps had yet to detect any indication of terrorist attacks targeting the island.
Surveillance priority will be given to places where many people gather, including tourist hubs, shopping centers, entertainment centers as well as consulate offices.
A special security measure will be deployed in Kuta, predicted to be crowded during the celebration.
Separately, Denpasar Police chief Sr. Comr. Hadi Purnomo said that Bali police personnel and mobile brigade troops would back up security measures in Kuta, claiming that the team was already equipped with proper weaponry.
Terrorism, considered one of the biggest challenges for national security throughout this year, will likely continue to threaten Indonesia in 2017, coupled with the circulation of fake news through social media, which is said to potentially trigger conflict, according to National Police.
In Central Java’s capital Semarang, the police will deploy personnel to ensure a peaceful New Year's celebration.
“We will be all out [in securing the celebration],” said Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono.
Meanwhile, Semarang administration spokesperson Achyani said that residents were welcome to enjoy various entertainment, including live music performances and fireworks parties on Saturday night in at least 34 places, including the city’s landmarks and tourist areas Menteri Supeno Park and Jati Sari field. “The events aim at boosting tourism in Semarang,” Achyani said.
In Medan, the city administration will organize a mass prayer on Merdeka Field to welcome the beginning of 2017 on Saturday.
The event will start at 4 p.m. and last until the first hours of Jan. 1 and will be attended by the city’s high-rank officials.
The city’s spokesman Budi Hariono said that the event aimed to express gratitude for the secure and peaceful situation in North Sumatra’s capital.
“We also pray to be protected from any disasters,” he said.
