Jayapura, Papua – Security conditions in Jayapura, Papua, ahead of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)'s visit on Sunday (Nov 21), are quite conducive, the region's military chief of the Cendrawasih Military Command Brig. Gen. Erfy Triassunu said here Saturday.

"It is true that there was an attack involving two communal groups but the matter has been handled very well and they are now ready to welcome the president," Brig Gen Erfy Triassuni, chief of the Cendrawasih Regional Military Command, said here Saturday.

The possibility of demonstrations as planned by certain persons was a normal thing, he said, adding that if such rallies were to take place, their organizers had to obtain prior permission from the police.

"In principle, such demonstrations are normal in a democracy and their aspirations deserve appreciation so long as they do not disrupt the public interest and abide by the existing rules," he said.

A number of personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) and the State Police (Polri) since Saturday afternoon have been on guard along the Abepura-Sentani route which links Jayapura city to the Sentani airport.

The head of state and entourage were scheduled to arrive in Jayapura on Sunday afternoon and expected to make a series of activities including opening a meeting of Student Executive Boards (BEMs) across Indonesia at the Cendrawasih University in Jayapura.

The president was also slated to give directives at a meeting on efforts to strengthen the regional financial capacity at the Papua gubernatorial office on Sunday evening.

On his visit to Papua, the president would be accompanied by a number of officials including those from the Corruption Eradication Comission (KPK), the Home Affairs Ministry and the Finance Ministry. (KR-MBK/HAJM/B003/R009)