By: Kirana Widianti )*
On the momentum of Christmas and New Year (Nataru), the government ensures that preventive measures are carried out maximally to prevent the threat of terrorism. This long year-end holiday is predicted to involve the mobility of more than 110 million people’s trips, both for homecoming, vacations, and worship. With a potential increase of 10-15 percent from the initial prediction, the government seriously views the need for coordinated security in various sectors.
Security in the Nataru series is focused on ensuring the smooth running of Christian worship and other community activities. The government, through the Police, TNI, and various related agencies, has prepared Operation Lilin as the main effort in maintaining security.
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo confirmed that more than 141 thousand joint personnel will be deployed to secure the celebration. The operation includes security at churches, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and main transportation routes, with the establishment of almost 2,800 security posts throughout Indonesia.
One of the main focuses is to prevent potential threats of terrorism that can disrupt the peace of the people in carrying out worship. The Chief of Police emphasized that technical coordination continues to be carried out to ensure readiness in the field. In addition to direct checks, periodic evaluation meetings are held to anticipate any deficiencies in the implementation of security. The goal is that all forms of threats, including terrorism, can be minimized early on.
Deputy for Mental Revolution Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for PMK, Warsito, emphasized the importance of cross-sector cooperation in maintaining security during this period. In addition to involving the Police and TNI, the government is also working with BMKG, Basarnas, and port managers. This step aims to ensure that all aspects, from transportation to extreme weather, can be anticipated properly. Full support is given to Christians so that they can carry out their worship safely and comfortably amidst increasing community mobility.
In facing potential threats, one of the main strategies is to focus security on places of worship. Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, emphasized that a peaceful and calm atmosphere must be created for people who are carrying out Christmas worship. According to him, this is not only about physical security, but also providing a sense of spiritual calm to the community. Deconcentration of activities on the streets is also proposed by inviting the community to reflect in places of worship, creating a solemn atmosphere in welcoming the new year.
In addition, security is also strengthened in public areas that have the potential to be targets of terrorism, such as shopping centers and tourist locations. With the tagline Libur Seru Nataru, the Ministry of Transportation ensures that transportation routes along 3,000 kilometers of toll roads and 45,000 kilometers of national roads are ready for use.
This security is not only intended to support smooth mobility, but also to minimize the risk of congestion that can become a loophole for acts of terrorism. The government also prioritizes the use of public transportation to reduce congestion on highways, which are often potential targets in similar situations.
Management of the homecoming and return flows is also a major concern. The peak of the homecoming flow is predicted to occur before Christmas, while the return flow is estimated in early January. The government ensures that transportation of basic necessities continues to run smoothly even amidst increased mobility. This effort is supported by a strict monitoring system in various modes of transportation, including intensive inspections on public vehicles to prevent smuggling of dangerous goods.
In addition to physical measures, a technology-based approach is also used to monitor the security situation. The government urges the public to utilize Korlantas Polri social media as a source of up-to-date information on traffic conditions. With this real-time data, the public can avoid potentially congested routes while raising awareness of potential threats around them.
The government also emphasized the importance of educating and socializing the public on how to deal with emergency situations. Public safety campaigns conducted through social media, television, and radio are expected to increase public readiness in responding to threats. This step is considered important because the more people use public spaces, the greater the security risk.
No less important, the role of the community in maintaining security during Christmas and New Year is also in the spotlight. The government encourages active participation of citizens to report suspicious things to the authorities. Collective awareness is considered very important in dealing with the threat of terrorism, because security is not only the responsibility of the authorities, but also all elements of society.
Through a comprehensive preventive approach, the government is committed to creating a safe and conducive atmosphere during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Mature cross-agency coordination, supported by community participation, is the main key to realizing a peaceful and meaningful Nataru for all parties.
This effort is in line with the government’s mission to ensure that all people can celebrate Christmas and New Year in a safe, peaceful and joyful atmosphere. The government also continues to prioritize a humanist approach in carrying out security, maintaining a balance between the security and comfort aspects of the community.
With this comprehensive strategy, it is hoped that the 2024/2025 Nataru celebrations can run without significant disruption, becoming a momentum to strengthen unity amidst Indonesia’s diversity.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute