REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SUBANG -- Military (TNI) Commander General Moeldoko stated that securing the presidential election scheduled on July 9 will be tougher because the potential for clashes to occur is greater.
In view of that he reported here on Wednesday that the number of TNI personnel to be deployed to assure security of the event will be increased.
"We will adjust the number of personnel because according to me securing the presidential election later will be harder. We will adjust according to the situation on the ground," he added after launching a soybean plantation extension programme along with agriculture minister Suswono in the village of Ponggang in the district of Subang, West Java.
Moeldoko noted that the potential of friction will be greater than in the recent legislative elections as competition between the presidential candidates will be tenser.
He added however that TNI had already taken anticipatory measures in case clashes should occur and so he hoped no riot will happen during campaigning.
"The situation was fluid (during the legislative elections), but now crystallization has started to form in Camp A and Camp B that may possibly cause frictions," he pointed out.
The 3rd Siliwangi Military Command chief overseeing West Java, Major General Dedi Kusnadi, meanwhile stated that he had planned to field around 7,200 of his personnel to help the West Java police assure security during the election.
"In the 3rd Military Command, 7,200 personnel have been deployed and are ready to assist the West Java police," he noted.
He hoped the presidential election will be peaceful like the legislative elections before.
Regarding vulnerable regions in the province, he noted that he was yet to determine the situation but the focus will be on Bandung, the capital of the province.
On the basis of intelligence information, he stated the election will be peaceful, but he hoped community members will also help in assuring a peaceful election, adding that TNI is already working in tandem with the police, the regional administration and the community.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika