National Police Chief Guarantees Secure Election

Jakarta. National Police chief Gen. Sutarman said on Wednesday that security ahead of the July 9 presidential election was under control.

“Alhamdulilah, it’s secure and under control. The National Police will try hard to secure [the election] with all we can. We need support from everyone, including the media,” Sutarman told the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.

Sutarman played down talk of possible rioting after the election.

“There will be no such scenario. The National Police will secure [the election] so there will be no riots,” he said.

National Police chief of operational assistance Insp. Gen. Arif Wachyunadi echoed Sutarman’s statements, dubbing speculation surrounding a possible post-election riot a “hoax.”

“Where did that information come from? The situation up until today is still conducive,” he said on Wednesday.

Campaigns by presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto are scheduled to end on July 5, after which candidates will enter a three-day “quiet period” that ends on July 8, one day before the election.

During this period, political parties and supporters of each candidates are no longer allowed to hold campaign activities, as regulated by the General Elections Commision (KPU).

 

By Farouk Arnaz on 06:18 pm Jul 02, 2014