The Latest Appeal From The Police, Congregations Do Not Bring Bags When They Go To Church

A tactical vehicle from the Police's Gegana Unit is parked in front of the Cathedral, Jakarta, Thursday 1 March. (Rivan Awal Lingga / Antara)

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya has appealed to congregants who wish to worship at the church on the Holy Easter Trihari not to carry bags.

"The church has also advised congregants who are going to worship in place not to carry bags," said Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Pol Yusri Yunus at Polda Metro Jaya, Thursday, reported by Antara, April 1.

Yusri said that for the safety and comfort of Christians during Good Friday and Easter, his party, together with the church's internal security, will tighten the security.

The tightening of security will be implemented in the form of body screening and inspection of all congregants that will enter the church premises.

Therefore, church administrators and the police have advised the congregation not to carry bags to speed up security checks.

"Better not have to carry a bag so you are not too late in the examination," he said.

Polda Metro Jaya deployed as many as 5,590 personnel to be deployed in 833 churches to secure the celebration of the Holy Trihari Easter.

However, there are four large churches that get extra guard, namely the Cathedral Church, Pasar Baru (Central Jakarta),

Immanuel Church, Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, (Central Jakarta), HKBP Petojo Church, Grogol, (West Jakarta), Santo Petrus and Paulus Catholic Churches (West Jakarta)

The four large churches are each guarded by 155 police personnel and added by TNI personnel as well as church internal security.

Polda Metro Jaya has tightened church security to ensure the safety and comfort of Christians on Good Friday and Easter after a series of acts of terror that have disturbed the public.

The security tightening is not only carried out in the church, but also in all houses of worship, economic centers and all vital objects in the Polda Metro Jaya area.