Denpasar (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) will step up its patrols in the waters off Bali prior to the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF), which will be held from November 8 to 9, according to the commander of the Denpasar naval base, Col I Wayan Suarjaya.
"Although BDF is an annual event, we will intensify our patrols throughout the waters, particularly in several points considered vulnerable to security disturbances," he said here on Saturday.
The patrols will involve not only naval officers, but also security personnel from other agencies, local residents and fishermen, he said.
The Navy has not yet mapped those points in the waters considered vulnerable to security disturbances, he added.
The patrol will also target areas in the waters believed to be used as a "mice routes", he explained.
He also denied allegations that the presence of the warship Yos Sudarso at Benoa port in Denpasar is part of security arrangements put in place before the two-day forum.
The warship is on a routine visit to patrol, take on fuel, and for logistical reasons, he said.
The Navy is expected to deploy a number of warships in the waters when the forum takes place. But Suarjaya declined to reveal their number.
During the 2011 Bali Democracy Forum, the Navy deployed two warships in the waters near Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar and in the Nusa Dua waters.
Indonesia has sponsored the forum on five occasions. The forum, which is intended to discuss the development of democracy from various perspectives, has drawn participants from a number of countries.
In previous years, Indonesia invited representatives from Japan, Australia, South Korea and Bangladesh, as co-chairs of BDF.(*/T007)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2012
"Although BDF is an annual event, we will intensify our patrols throughout the waters, particularly in several points considered vulnerable to security disturbances," he said here on Saturday.
The patrols will involve not only naval officers, but also security personnel from other agencies, local residents and fishermen, he said.
The Navy has not yet mapped those points in the waters considered vulnerable to security disturbances, he added.
The patrol will also target areas in the waters believed to be used as a "mice routes", he explained.
He also denied allegations that the presence of the warship Yos Sudarso at Benoa port in Denpasar is part of security arrangements put in place before the two-day forum.
The warship is on a routine visit to patrol, take on fuel, and for logistical reasons, he said.
The Navy is expected to deploy a number of warships in the waters when the forum takes place. But Suarjaya declined to reveal their number.
During the 2011 Bali Democracy Forum, the Navy deployed two warships in the waters near Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar and in the Nusa Dua waters.
Indonesia has sponsored the forum on five occasions. The forum, which is intended to discuss the development of democracy from various perspectives, has drawn participants from a number of countries.
In previous years, Indonesia invited representatives from Japan, Australia, South Korea and Bangladesh, as co-chairs of BDF.(*/T007)
Editor : Nyoman Budhiana
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2012