Major Malls Erect High Fences En Masse, Sparking Public Curiosity

The chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Centre Management Association (APPBI), Alphonzus Widjaja, has confirmed that the installation of fences is not due to the threat of riots. According to him, the main purpose of the fencing is to better regulate visitor access. “Actually, the main goal is to make things more orderly, the flow of visitors entering and exiting. If it is open, visitors can enter and exit from anywhere, which endangers the surrounding traffic,” said Alphonzus when met at the Ministry of Trade Auditorium in Jakarta on Thursday (30/7/2026). He stated that the use of fences is not a new phenomenon in shopping centres. A number of malls have even used fences since they first began operating. “But if we look at it, the ones installing fences now are just a coincidence. Previously, many shopping centres were established with fences from the start. So I think the main goal of the management is like that, to better regulate access in and out,” he said. In addition to traffic management, Alphonzus explained that the fences also function as a security perimeter for shopping centres located near frequent demonstration sites. “But at the same time, of course, some of our colleagues’ shopping centres are located near the centres of demonstration activities. Demonstrations often occur in certain areas. So I think this also provides a security boundary against those demonstrations that often take place,” he explained. When asked whether the installation of fences was an anticipatory measure against riots, Alphonzus denied this notion. He emphasised that the security referred to is more about regulating access and protecting the mall area from demonstration activities occurring nearby. “I don’t think it’s about riots. The main goal, as I said, is to regulate visitor access, so it can be centralised. Otherwise, people would enter and exit from anywhere,” said Alphonzus. “Secondly, I think it is more to provide a boundary. So it is not about riots, but about situations where some shopping centres are close to demonstration activities. And I think demonstrations are not prohibited as long as they have permits. But again, it is about providing a boundary for the security perimeter. I think it is more towards that,” he concluded.