Security tightened for APEC Summit in Bali

The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and National Police have begun deploying personnel and equipment to secure the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bali next week.

At least 15 warships have been deployed in the waters off Bali, while the TNI and the National Police are planning to field at least 11 thousand personnel, apart from 16 Sukhoi fighter planes, F-16 fighter jets and M-17 warplanes.

Meanwhile, the Bali Regional Police is also launching operations prior to the summit`s opening in an effort to prevent incidents in the run-up to the APEC Summit, which will last from October 1 to 8, 2013. 

"We have been launching a precondition and a prevention operation, specifically carried out by the Bali Regional Police personnel," Bali Regional Police Chief Brig, Gen. Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu said in Jakarta on Friday.

The operations are being carried out by District and Sub-district Police officers, while police personnel are also being placed at strategic locations, such as ferry ports, fishing ports and provincial borders.

Benny said that his agency was cooperating with the TNI and deployed its personnel based upon directives provided by the TNI commander, who is responsible for the security of the international summit.

The TNI will be responsible for guests` security in the Ring I and II areas, which includes the security for heads of state and government, while the police will be assigned to guarantee security in Ring III.

"We have to provide guaranteed security so that when these leaders return to their countries, they will feel that Indonesia is safe. This is the message made by our top leaders," Brig. Gen Albertus Julius Benny Mokalu said.

Meanwhile, Police Chief General Timur Pradopo said security has been well prepared. "Thank God, we have made good preparations. Security in Bali is in place, so we hope the summit will proceed securely," the National Police chief said.

He added that his agency would field 4,924 personnel to secure the APEC summit. These security staff includes task forces of Regional Bali Police, National Police Headquarters and its reserve forces, including personnel from the mobile brigade, traffic force, air task force, water task force, anti-terror Densus-88 force and other police reserve forces.

They will be included in the TNI-Police Joint Security Pacification Command (Kogabpam) to ensure security during the APEC Summit.

TNI Commander General Moeldoko said the Kogabpam must guarantee security for the heads of state and heads of government, and the members of their delegations, during their stay in Indonesia. 

"This task must firmly be carried out and implemented at any location, any time and in any conditions, because this task is vital and fundamental, as it will determine the state`s and nation`s respect and dignity," the TNI commander said.

In order to tighten security, according to General Moeldoko, different warships have been deployed in Bali's waters.

"A total of 15 warships have been deployed," said Defence Forces (TNI) Commander General Moeldoko, after leading a roll call of combined security forces on Thursday.

He added that apart from deploying warships, TNI has also prepared F-16 fighter jets at the Ngurah Rai Air Force base and 16 Sukhoi and M-17 fighters at Hassanudin Air Force base in Makassar, South Sulawssi.

He noted that the Indonesian Defence Forces and the police are planning to deploy at least 11 thousand personnel to secure the APEC summit in Nusa Dua, Bali.

"We will deploy a total of 11 thousand personnel from TNI and the police to safeguard the area, including on the sea and in the air," said General Moeldoko, following a readiness roll call of combined TNI/Police forces in preparation for the summit on Thursday.

He added that the forces would be led by VVIP Security Operations Chief Lieutenant General Lodewijk F Paulus and they include the Regional Security Task Force, headed by the commander of the IXth Military Command, Major General Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, and Bali`s Regional Police Commander, Brigadier General A Julius Benny Mokalu.

"TNI and Polri forces in East Java will be on stand-by mode in case back-up security is required in Bali," he said. The personnel would be stationed in a number of strategic locations, categorised as Ring 1, Ring 2, and Ring 3.

Additionally, the Indonesian Navy has deployed the `KRI Malahayati-362` warship to secure Bali`s waters in the run-up to the summit.

Commandant of KRI Malahayati-362, Lt. Col Mohammad M Irchamni, noted in a statement delivered via the Information Service of the Navy`s Eastern Fleet Command (Koartim ) said that the Navy was assigned to conduct patrols to ensure the security of the VVIP guests.

The Navy has also been deployed to ensure security during the visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who inspected preparations for the APEC Summit.

During the President`s visit, KRI Malahayati-362 and the Navy`s maritime air patrol aircraft guarded the waters surrounding the "island of the gods" to prevent enemy infiltration and sabotage missions launched by sea.

National Police Chief General Timur Pradopo, meanwhile, said the police is ready to cooperate with TNI by providing personnel, as well as equipment. "The combined security effort has been part of the security measures," he said.

During the roll call, some security equipment were displayed, including tanks, armored vehicles, helicopters, and other tactical and patrol vehicles.

Twenty one heads of state, including four heads of state from observer countries, thousands of delegates, and some 2,000 media personnel, are expected to attend the APEC Summit.

General Pradopo called on the public, including those who disagreed with the holding of the summit, to support the event. The summit is a trust afforded to Indonesia, which is expected to see participation from delegates from 21 member countries.

"Indonesia has been entrusted with hosting the summit. We hope the public will recognize this and support the event," he added

Source: ANTARA