Jakarta – The head of the Jakarta metropolitan police General Firman Gani and the Jakarta military commander Major General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo have warned workers to be careful during the protests planned for May 1.

It is suspected that leftist groups will take advantage of the actions. Gani and Purnomo conveyed the warning during a dialogue with leaders of the Betawi Children’s Communication Forum (Forkabi) at the Jakarta police headquarters on Sunday April 23.

Gani gave as an example the vandalism that took place during the worker demonstration on April 5 in Jakarta, which was not committed by workers but by another groups that that had joined in the protest. “I have instructed the district police chief to be on watch for people that will infiltrate [the protests]”, said Gani.

The Jakarta military commander even said he suspects there will be parties that will create a riot at the May 1 action. “According to intelligence reports in the field there are indications in this direction”, said Purnomo. (IAN/Tim Liputan 6 SCTV)

[Translated by James Balowski.]