Lenny Tristia Tambun – The Jakarta Police say they were ready dispatch 4,000 officers to secure Lady Gaga's Jakarta concert, scheduled for June 3, and warned the Islamic Defenders Front against attempting to mess up with the show.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said on Tuesday that his office was awaiting the National Police's final decision regarding the concert, regarding whether to issue it the permit it needs to go on.
If the National Police grant the permit, the Jakarta Police would dispatch between 2,000 and 4,000 personnel to secure the concert, Rikwanto said.
"We'll anticipate any possibilities. We're even ready to smuggle some police officers into the middle of the crowd of audience," he said, adding that the officers would not wear their uniforms.
On Monday, the hard-line Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said it had purchased 150 tickets for the Lady Gaga concert so it could enter the venue and stop the show from going on.
Such an action would not be unprecedented: earlier this month, FPI members stormed the Salihara cultural center where Canadian writer and liberal Muslim activist Irshad Manji was holding a book launch event and threatened violence if it didn't cease immediately. Manju had to be escorted out under a heavy guard as the police shut down the event.
The FPI is one of several groups that voiced their opposition to the Lady Gaga concert last week, citing the singer's "vulgar" outfits and performances. That previously caused the Jakarta Police to refuse to issue a recommendation for the show, earlier cited by the National Police as one of the "requirements" for it to issue the permit.
On Friday, though, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyantoko said all parties involved should try to reach some sort of compromise, which could involve certain requirements about Lady Gaga's lyrics, choreography and appearance. And on Monday, National Police Chief Gen. Timur Pradopo was summoned by the House of Representatives to answer questions regarding the Lady Gaga controversy and other disputes.
After that, the National Police said they might issue a permit for the show, and the Jakarta Police said they would abide by such a decision.
On Tuesday, Rikwanto warned the FPI against making trouble during the concert. "There will be legal sanctions for those abusing the law," he said.
More than 52,000 people are set to attend the sold out show at Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) in Central Jakarta. The promoter, Big Daddy, said on its Twitter account that was going on with its preparations for the show, although the National Police said they wouldn't announce their decision about the permit until next week.
"We'll divide the GBK into several security rings. Sorry, as the impact it will require longer time to enter the venue; as there will be many checkpoints," Big Daddy said on one of its tweets on Tuesday morning. It added it was hiring some security experts to ensure safety at the show.
On Monday night, Lady Gaga played the first of two shows in Manila, after Christian youth groups had protested for days against the show. The singer is in Asia as part of her world tour, "The Born This Way Ball." (BeritaSatu/JG)