- Presidential candidates to get VVIP guards
Friday, April 02, 2004
PC Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The National Police will provide special security guards for presidential and vice presidential candidates and their families during the election campaign and on the election day.
The security force will be responsible for the safety of the country's potential leaders and their families at home, at the office and during travel.
Police have prepared no less than 709 personnel to carry out this special duty up until the election of the country's next president and vice president.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) is expected to announce the outcome of the presidential election of July 5 on July 26. In case no candidate achieves a simple majority, a run-off will be held on Sept. 20, with the result be announced on Oct. 12.
The VVIP protection for potential leaders is stipulated in Law No. 13/2003 on elections and Government Regulation No. 9/2004 on security for presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Police personnel assigned to protect the candidates will undergo special training, starting on Thursday. The training will last for 10 days in different locations, depending on where the trainees originate from.
The first five days of training are meant to enhance their ability based on their respective area of specialization, such as medical treatment, security, communication, and electronic technology.
National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko D.A. said the incumbent president and vice president remain under the protection of the President's Special Security Force.
It remains undecided how many police personnel will be deployed to protect a candidate.
"We will likely know the number after the KPU announces the names of presidential and vice presidential candidates," Soenarko said.