Governor Pramono urges protesters not to damage public facilities in Jakarta

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has urged protest participants to voice their aspirations in an orderly manner and to avoid damaging public facilities. “The most important thing is that this expression should not result in damage to public facilities,” Pramono said in Central Jakarta on Friday. He noted that public facilities are the property of Jakarta’s residents, and any damage would ultimately harm the community. He therefore appealed for demonstrators to express their views peacefully and to always protect public amenities. “I earnestly appeal and ask anyone staging a protest in Jakarta not to damage public facilities. That is all,” Pramono stated.

Five separate demonstrations are scheduled to take place at strategic locations across the capital on Friday, with the potential to cause traffic congestion. The protest sites include the National Monument (Monas) area, the DPR/MPR complex, the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, Tugu Tani, and the Ministry of Finance. A total of 4,264 joint police personnel have been placed on standby to secure the events.

Central Jakarta Metro Police public relations head Iptu Erlyn Sumantri said the first action will begin on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan at 9:00 a.m. Western Indonesia Time, led by the National Board of Tani Merdeka Indonesia. Motorists are advised to avoid that stretch, particularly between the Horse Statue and City Hall. At 10:00 a.m., a demonstration by Trisakti University’s Kepresma and other groups will take place in front of the DPR/MPR building in Senayan, with congestion expected along Jalan Gatot Subroto towards Slipi and Semanggi. The Indonesian Economics Student Senate Association will rally at the HI Roundabout from 11:00 a.m., likely affecting Jalan MH Thamrin. At 1:00 p.m., the Nusantara Students and Youth Coalition will gather at Tugu Tani, potentially slowing traffic on Jalan Ridwan Rais, Jalan Medan Merdeka Timur, and Jalan Menteng Raya. Simultaneously, another group will protest outside the Ministry of Finance, impacting Jalan Dr Wahidin Raya, Jalan Lapangan Banteng Timur, and the Pasar Baru area.

For motorists travelling through Central Jakarta, several alternative routes are suggested. Those heading from Semanggi to Monas or Harmoni can use Jalan KH Mas Mansyur and Jalan Fachrudin via Tanah Abang and Cideng, while the reverse journey can be made via Jalan Abdul Muis. To avoid congestion around Tugu Tani and Medan Merdeka Timur, drivers can use Jalan Cikini Raya, Jalan Diponegoro, or Jalan Salemba Raya. Motorists heading towards Slipi or Semanggi are advised to use the inner-city toll road if possible, or take Jalan Palmerah Utara, Jalan Tentara Pelajar, or Jalan Asia Afrika to bypass the DPR/MPR area. Those travelling to Pasar Baru, Gunung Sahari, or Kemayoran should avoid the front of the Ministry of Finance and instead use Jalan Industri, Jalan Gunung Sahari, or Jalan Benyamin Sueb.