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View all search resultsPolice step up security ahead of Christmas, New Year
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A police officer with a sniffer dog inspects the Jakarta Cathedral on Dec. 23, 2025, in preparations for Mass in Central Jakarta. (Reuters/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana)
W
ith the 2025 year-end holiday fast approaching, the National Police have stepped up security measures nationwide, deploying hundreds of thousands of personnel to ensure the public can celebrate Christmas and New Year safely.
The police have launched the annual nationwide Operasi Lilin, or Operation Candle, to ensure public safety and maintain order at churches, tourism sites and transport hubs during the year-end holidays. The operation, scheduled to run for two weeks from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2, has deployed around 146,000 personnel from the police, the military and various government agencies.
In Jakarta and its satellite cities, the police are prioritizing security at places of worship that require a higher level of protection, with more than 5,000 joint personnel deployed.
"We are securing places of worship and increasing protection at churches deemed high-risk. Enhanced security is in place at 14 churches across Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta and Bekasi," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Asep Edi Suheri said in a statement on Monday.
The police have also deployed more than 11,000 personnel to disaster-affected areas in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra to assist with relief efforts and help restore churches ahead of Christmas celebrations, according to National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
“In North Sumatra, 32 churches across three regencies were affected. We are helping with the clean-up,” Listyo said. “In South Tapanuli regency, three out of four churches are now usable. Nine churches in Langkat regency are now operational, and 12 of 19 churches in Central Tapanuli regency have been restored.”
Read also: Extreme weather looms as millions head into year-end travel season
