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2,400 military personnel readied to secure Jakarta runoff election
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For a peaceful election:Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama (from left to right), Jakarta Military District Command commander Maj. Gen. Jaswandi, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan and Jakarta deputy gubernatorial candidate Sandiaga Uno shake hands at an event on April 17 to declare their readiness to ensure a safe, peaceful runoff election on April 19. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay)
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s many as 2,400 Indonesian Military personnel from the Jakarta Military District Command (Kodam Jaya) and the West Java and Banten Military District Command (Kodam Siliwangi) arrived in West Jakarta on Monday afternoon to help secure the April 19 runoff election.
The soldiers are being prepared as a last resort and will only be deployed if an emergency situation develops as residents cast their votes in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
The military personnel gathered at Cendrawasih Stadium in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, to receive directives from West Jakarta Military District Command (Kodim) commander Lt.Col. Wahyu Yudhayana.
“This [deployment] shows that the state is present and able to guarantee the security of its citizens,” Wahyu said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com during his speech to welcome the personnel.
(Read also: Muslim leaders join call for peaceful poll)
He further said during election day, half the personnel would be stationed in Kalideres, West Jakarta, while the rest would remain at Cendrawasih Stadium.“The TNI personnel will work in accordance with the security level and on the police’s request,” he said.
Wahyu asserted that the military’s presence was not intended to scare the citizens but to make them feel safe instead. (dea/ebf)
