Security beefed up ahead of Indonesia’s election

Security at tourist attractions will be tightened ahead of the legislative election slated for April 9 this year, the police have said.

Denpasar Police chief Comr. Djoko Hariutomo said that police would beef up security everywhere, including tourist spots such as Kuta and Legian.

“Security in tourist spots will be tightened, particularly coordinating with traditional Balinese security guards, including at hotels,” Djoko said after a meeting regarding election preparation at Denpasar Police station.

He said that security had been arranged for the election, with as many as 1,384 personnel to be deployed. “We have also intensified training to safeguard areas, including the Regional Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) and General Election Commission (KPU) offices,” he said.

For election day, the police had mapped all areas vulnerable to unrest, however security problems and conflicts could occur anywhere. “We consider all areas to be vulnerable for now. We don’t want to reduce our concentration and think nothing will happen there,” he said.

Previously, head of Bali KPU, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, reminded that the campaign period would be the most vulnerable time for the election. Moreover, the campaign period falls over Nyepi, the Hindu day of silence.