General Sutarman made the statement in response to a recent warning issued by the US embassy to American citizens regarding threats on banks and hotels connected to the US in Surabaya.
Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - National Police Chief of Indonesia General Sutarman said here on Monday that security situation in Indonesia, particularly in Surabaya, the provincial capital of East Java, was good.

"I can assure you that Indonesia is safe. There is no threat of any kind in Surabaya or East Java," he stated while visiting the families of the victims of the AirAsia flight that crashed.

He made the statement in response to a recent warning issued by the US embassy to American citizens regarding threats on banks and hotels connected to the US in Surabaya.

With regard to the travel warning, he revealed that he planned to discuss it with the US embassy.

"On what basis have they issued this warning? I can assure you that Indonesia is safe from any security disruptions. Surabaya is safe. There is nothing to worry about," Sutarman reiterated.

Earlier, the US embassy noted that protecting US citizens abroad was one of the priorities of that countrys state department, and in view of that, it issued the latest warning about security conditions in Indonesia and other information US citizens need to know when they plan to go abroad.

"We have advised US citizens abroad and those traveling abroad to register themselves with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive latest information on security conditions from the embassy," a US embassy spokesman pointed out.

According to Regional Police Command Chief of East Java Inspector General Anas Yusuf, he did not receive any official letter from the US embassy on the issue. However, as a preventive measure, he has stationed personnel at locations frequented by US citizens in Surabaya and East Java.

"I have taken precautionary measures, but this warning from the US embassy has nothing to do with the crash of AirAsia flight QZ8501," he affirmed.

Furthermore, Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini also assured the safety of Surabaya.

"Surabaya is safe. If anything happens, I will receive information. We have personnel stationed at all sub-districts who send updates every evening, even on power outages," she explained.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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