SUMBAWA Besar seemed to be under a spell. The roads were empty in this capital city of Sumbawa regency in West Nusa Tenggara province last week. The police, who were usually conspicuous at intersections and sentry posts, were noticeably absent. The brown-shirted police were replaced by fully armed soldiers. In corners of the city and even in the Sumbawa Police Headquarters, green-fatigued military personnel were seen at the ready.

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