Ni Komang Erviani, Denpasar – Bali Police, with support from the military and pecalang (Balinese traditional security guards), said it would ensure the Miss World pageant in Bali in September would run smoothly.
Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Arif Wachyunadi told journalists that hundreds of personnel would be deployed to sites – in places such as Badung, Denpasar, Karangasem, Klungkung and Tabanan – to safeguard the contestants when they were there.
"The security arrangements will be in accordance with our high-profile international event standard operation procedure," Wachyunadi said.
Wachyunadi's security announcment follows hot on the heels of demands by Habib Rizieq Shibab, leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), who ordered the government to revoke the event permit or risk massive protests across the country.
On Thursday, Wachyunadi implied that the police were even prepared to deploy a much larger force saying that it would respond to "the dynamic of the situation."
The regional police in Bali have at least 10 companies of cummunity control team (Dalmas) troopers, who are well-trained and well-equipped in executing crowd control, as well as three battalions of combat-grade wMobile Brigade (Brimob) officers.
In addition, the warm relationship between Wachyunadi and Udayana Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, also means that the army would be on hand to respond to any situation. In May and June, a large contingent of soldiers was dispatched across the island to assist the police in securing the gubernatorial election.
Udayana Military Command has one ranger-qualified combat battalion stationed in Bali and a dedicated counterterrorism unit.
"The Udayana Military Command, the provincial administration, and all Bali residents also support us. The Pecalang would also be participated on safeguard the event in some places," Wachyunadi stressed.
He disclosed that the local police would conduct a special security operation over two weeks, starting on Sept. 14, when the contestants begin to arrive on the resort island. The National Police have allocated Rp 505.7 million (US$44,920) to fund the security operation.
Separately, the chairman of the Grand Council of Customary Villages (MUDP), Jero Gede Putus Suwena, said that the pecalang would participate in securing the pageant.
"As Balinese, we have an obligation to safeguard our island. Supporting the police for the Miss World event is part of our obligation." The MUDP is the umbrella organization for 1,483 customary villages across Bali. These villages are ready to deploy their respective pecalang if the situation arose.