Christmas and New Year Celebrations Safeguarded Together

KOMPAS/EDNA CAROLINE PATTISINA

Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Air Chief Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto (third right) and National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis (second right) brief officers at the Kristus Raja Cathedral Church, Kupang, Sunday (22/12/2019), to comply with standard operating procedures and be humanistic in safeguarding Christmas and the New Year.

The National Police (Polri) and Indonesian Military (TNI) are ready to safeguard Christmas and New Year celebrations by using a humanistic approach. With the participation of various community groups, it is believed Christmas and New Year celebrations will take place safely and comfortably.KUPANG, KOMPAS — A safe and comfortable Christmas and New Year celebration is the hope of the public. The National Police of the Republic of Indonesia together with the Indonesian Military and various community groups are ready to realize this.

A poll by Kompas involving 559 respondents on 14-15 December 2019 shows that 91.1 percent of respondents said it is important to maintain a proper atmosphere during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

According to almost 55 percent of respondents, the atmosphere in question can be realized with public participation of maintaining order and security during worship.

One of the elements of the community that will help safeguard churches during Christmas is GP Ansor, the youth group under the Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organization. This year, half of the total 7 million GP Ansor members will be deployed in safeguarding the church.

According to chairperson of GP Ansor Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on Sunday (22/12/2019), safeguarding places of worship is essentially protecting Indonesia.

Christmas 2019 is expected to bring messages of peace in a collective life as a nation.

Cholil added the community must be willing and able to maintain tolerance, respecting differences that have become inevitable. Christmas 2019 is expected to bring messages of peace in a collective life as a nation.

University of Indonesia sociologist Imam B. Prasodjo believes that the celebration of every religious holiday should be safe and smooth. In order to realize this, mutual respect and respect for each other\'s beliefs needs to be fostered among religious communities.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Passengers wait at Kampung Rambutan terminal, East Jakarta, on Sunday (22/12/2019). The number of passengers who use the bus through Kampung Rambutan terminal on the Christmas and New Year holidays remains relatively normal. Surges in passengers have only occurred in Sumatera in areas such as Palembang.

Ready

During a visit to East Nusa Tenggara with National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis on Sunday, TNI commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto warned security forces to remain vigilant. Christmas and New Year celebrations must take place safely and comfortably.

The TNI commander also stressed that the military and police security personnel in charge of maintaining security during Christmas and New Year celebration must take a humanistic approach.

"The security operation during Christmas and New Year must be in accordance with standard operating procedures and must be humanistic because the objective is to safeguard is the people," said Hadi after visiting the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor (GMIT) Koinonia in Kuanino, Kupang, NTT.

"Let\'s act professionally and humanely with the surrounding community, building friendships and fraternity. If they need help, it should be given immediately. If such help must be given in certain circumstances and conditions, do not wait for orders. Act according to existing procedures," said the commander.

The visit of the National Police chief and the commander of the TNI to Kupang was part of an inspection of the readiness of the National Police, which will be assisted by the TNI in maintaining security during Christmas and the New Year.

Before Kupang, similar inspections had been carried out in Wamena, Medan, Surabaya and Semarang. Furthermore, preparations in Manado will also be examined. "We did the inspection to check if there is problem," said Hadi.

All personnel are in place, together with the TNI, regional administrations, mass organizations and other stakeholders.

Idham said that, in addition to convincing the public, his presence together with the TNI commander was also to boost the motivation of the security personnel in charge. "All vulnerable areas have been mapped out. All personnel are in place, together with the TNI, regional administrations, mass organizations and other stakeholders," Idham said.

Aside from visiting the GMIT, the National Police chief and the TNI commander also visited the Christ the King Cathedral Church, Kupang. At the cathedral, Father Ambrosius Ladjar Pr welcome Hadi and Idham. In addition to giving appreciation, he also explained about the planned procession of the ritual on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Ambrosius Ladjar said, based on previous practices during Christmas, New Year and Easter, the TNI and Polri personnel who were Catholic were deployed inside the church while other personnel were deployed outside the church along with members of GP Ansor in Kupang. (EDN/KOR/FAI/VAN)