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Military ready to deploy soldiers to secure elections
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Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo (second right) and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian inspect the joint police-military parade on Wednesday as part of preparations to secure the simultaneous regional elections. (Antara/ Rivan Awal Lingga )
I
ndonesian Military Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo has said that the military is ready to deploy reserve soldiers to secure the simultaneous regional elections and the massive planned demonstration against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama on Friday.
His statement to secure the elections and related events in 101 regions, including Jakarta, was made on Wednesday during a joint police-military parade at the National Monument (Monas).
The joint parade was held two days before the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and other Islamic organizations plan to hold a demonstration to push the police to investigate the governor due to allegations of religious defamation.
“If needed, we are ready [to deploy the soldiers],” said Gatot, adding that the number of soldiers to be deployed depended on the request from National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian.
Gatot said the soldiers had been spread to a number of places so that they would be ready for deployment at any time as needed.
“Our soldiers are not centered in certain places, but we will spread them to certain areas. It is expected to provide the feeling of security to the people,” he said as reported by tribunnews.com.
Organizers claimed that the demonstration will be attended by about 200,000 people from Jakarta and its surrounding cities.
The police said on Tuesday they would deploy around 20,000 security personnel during the Nov. 4 demonstration. (bbn)
