Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirja Tuesday called on his citizents to participate more actively in efforts to fight hoodlums arguing that Indonesia's national capital must be cleared of thugs.

"Hoodlums have to be totally eradicated and that is a job for all of us," he said when visiting Jakarta's Tanjung Priok harbor.

He said the city was always flooded by newcomers after the Idul Fitri holiday season. Part of them often ended up making a living as roadside vendors but another part frequently became hoodlums.

"But Jakarta must be purged of hoodlums," he said adding the professionalism of city administration agencies in dealing with the matter still needed improvement.

On the occasion, the chief of staff of the Jakarta military command, Brigadier General Syafrie, said security of Jakarta and its sattelite cities of Bogor, Bekasi and Tangerang ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday on February 9 and 10 was solid.

He said the armed forces would increase control in several places which were prone to security disturbances such as terminals and recreation centers.

Regarding security around houses of worship, Syafie said the armed forces and the people had to work together in maintaining security there.