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The head of presidential security offered his assurances on Monday that Independence Day celebrations would be safe, following police claims that terrorists had planned to attack President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s private residence on August 17.

Maj. Gen. Marciano Norman, the commander of the presidential security guards (Paspampres), said activities to mark the 64th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence would go ahead.

“The Presidential Palace will hold routine activities to celebrate Independence Day attended by many guests and we guarantee their safety. It is our responsibility as presidential security guards,” Marciano said in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday.

Paspampres would also cooperate with the Jakarta Regional Military Command and Jakarta Police regarding Independence Day activities, he added.

“It’s the duty of Paspampres to guarantee security within the palace, and outside the palace it is [the responsibility of] the chief of the regional military command and the Jakarta Police chief. We will cooperate with them to maintain adequate security for the anniversary of Independence Day,” Marciano said.

Regarding the police report that terrorists planned to attack Yudhoyono’s private residence in Cikeas, Bogor, Marciano said the president did not have any plans to move elsewhere. He said Paspampres would continually evaluate all possible security threats and decide whether presidential security measures should be tightened up or not.

On Sunday, military chief Gen. Djoko Santoso said presidential security measures had been increased.

“It’s done automatically. We are always reevaluating, according to the status of existing security threats,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Central Jakarta Police said on Monday that it was ready to increase the number of police helping the military beef up security at the State Palace.

“We are in charge of security around Monas [National Monument in Central Jakarta] and the military will be fully in charge of security around the palace in the run-up to and during the August 17 independence celebration,” said Central Jakarta Police Chief Ike Edwin, refusing to reveal the number of police to be deployed.

He admitted that security around the palace was being stepped up following claims by terrorists arrested last week that they were planning to carry out a suicide bombing against President Yudhoyono.

“The flag-raising ceremony will be attended by ambassadors from neighboring countries, so we will increase the number of security personnel,” he said.

Antara