7 May 2015

Massive deployment for Widodo's Papua visit

9:39 am on 7 May 2015

At least 6,000 soldiers and police officers will be deployed to maintain security during the visit of Indonesia's President Joko Widodo to the country's eastern region of Papua starting Friday.

Joko Widodo

Joko Widodo Photo: AFP

Indonesian troops, Papua

Indonesian troops, Papua Photo: AFP

The Jakarta Post reports that out of the total personnel, just over half would be soldiers.

The deployment of the security officers would be backed up by the Indonesian Military headquarters with helicopters, Hercules airplanes and two warships.

Speaking from Jayapura, the head of the Cendrawasih regional command Major General Fransen Siahaan said he hoped no group intended to hinder the President's second visit to Papua.

President Jokowi, as he is known, made a previous visit as president in December last year.

General Fransen warned that security officers would not hesitate to take any stern measures against anyone who wants to block the visit.