Jakarta – Central Jakarta Police have said they will provide security for the planned rallies against the annual electronic music festival Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) set to be held at JIExpo, Kemayoran over the weekend.
Police chief Sr. Comr. Roma Hutajulu said the organizer had made sure no alcoholic beverages would be sold during the event. Mass organizations have previously argued the music festival would degrade the morals of the youth, expressing concern about the consumption of drugs and alcohol.
"The Constitution specifically says that people are free to express their opinions in public. We will provide standard security as long as it does not lead to a riot," said Roma on Wednesday.
Society Allies, and several others plan to stage rallies in front of the festival venue on Thursday.
"The organizer has guaranteed that no drugs and the like will be permitted. We have deployed the National Narcotics Agency [BNN] to cooperate," Roma said.
Last week, the Jakarta administration said they would dispatch a surveillance team to supervise the nation's biggest music festival to ensure no drug or alcohol related activities would be present. (dpk)