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On the eve of planned street demonstrations today in support of the Bank Century bailout probe, the police have banned the use of “defamatory” or “insulting” posters in protests, adding to a recent ban on the use of live animals.

“When they notified us of the rally plans, we informed the protesters about what is forbidden,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar said on Monday.

He said posters or banners “that tend to insult” were among banned items. “Do not break the law, including defamation, insults and insulting anyone’s dignity through pictures,” he added.

Boy said animals had been banned “because they can endanger the safety of others.”

A water buffalo was used at an anti-government rally in Jakarta on Jan. 28 to protest against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s first 100 days in office.

Protest groups, mainly students, plan to demonstrate today in support of the House of Representatives’ inquiry into the Bank Century bailout.

A number of political parties have named Vice President Boediono, who was central bank governor at the time of the bailout, and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati as responsible for what they have deemed an illegal bailout. Protest rallies in recent months have featured posters mocking or vilifying both.

Boy did not say how the ban was legally justified, but vowed that police would enforce it. “We will start with being persuasive. We will ask the field coordinators to take [offending] posters down. But if ignored, we will take steps in line with the law,” he said.

“Please, this should be understood: the democratic culture we are building is one based on ethics and respect for human dignity.”

He did not explain why police had only now, at the climax of the Bank Century probe, decided to clamp down on such posters after two months of almost daily anti-government demonstrations.

Fadjroel Rachman, coordinator of the Anticorruption Civil Society Coalition (Kompak), said the ban went too far. He questioned how police would decide what constituted an insult.

Ifdhal Kasim, chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said the police should stick to maintaining order at rallies.

“People have the constitutional right to express their opinions — it is guaranteed by law,” he said, adding that the Criminal Code already allowed police to arrest protesters suspected of defamation.

Boy said at least 1,900 police officers would be deployed across Central Jakarta to monitor the expected 1,000 protesters. He said officers would be stationed at the Presidential Palace, the House and People’s Consultative Assembly in Senayan and at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.

Another 900 officers would be on standby, he said.

Police have been notified of planned protests by just two groups, Gempa and the People’s Alliance for SBY. Each have said they will field about 500 protesters. However, Boy said more protesters were expected.