Jakarta – Instead of using water canons or tear gas to disperse protesters, on Tuesday the Makassar Police deployed dozens of police women to negotiate with residents staging protests in opposition to the government's plan to increase subsidized fuel prices next month.

"I deliberately deployed my pretty officers to calm the protesters. How can they resist police women who bring them snacks and drinks? This way, the protesters will think more clearly," Makassar Police negotiation team head Comr. Aisya Saleh said as quoted by kompas.com.

The Makassar Police deployed 30 police women to serve as negotiators in a massive protest opposing the proposed fuel price hike. The officers, standing on the front line, gave away candy and soft drinks to the protesting residents.

The sympathetic approach has been practiced by the Makassar Police over the past two years. The country is seeing a string of protests across the archipelago today. Thousands of police and military personnel have been deployed in many cities to anticipate mass movements. (swd)