Motorists advised to avoid Kebon Sirih

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta residents are advised to avoid Jl. Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta as it will be closed on Wednesday as a measure to safeguard the gubernatorial election taking place at 10 a.m. at the City Council building, which is located on the street.

"We will close Jl. Kebon Sirih from 6:30 a.m., while nearby streets will be managed according to the latest conditions," the chief of the city police's operational control command center, Sr. Comr. Nono Supriyono, said on Tuesday.

"We may redirect the traffic or temporarily close some nearby streets."

Nono was speaking after a meeting with the City Council's gubernatorial election committee to discuss measures to safeguard the election.

There will be 1,866 officers deployed from the military, the police and other agencies such as the fire brigade and the transportation agency.

The City Council building was packed by both supporters and detractors of Sutiyoso on Monday and Tuesday, causing massive traffic congestion in nearby areas.

More demonstrators are expected to take to the street on Wednesday.

Security authorities also fear that groups opposing and supporting Sutiyoso could clash on Wednesday.

"We also got information that some protesters will stage demonstrations in front of City Hall on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan," said Nono.

City Hall and the City Council compounds are located back to back on the same block. The neighborhood is a prominent one as the vice presidential palace is located on the east side.

Further east is the U.S. Embassy, which has its own concerns due to it being the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Nono said police had received reports that there would also be a demonstration in front of the embassy.

"But we will use personnel other than the 1,866 personnel set to safeguard the gubernatorial election," he said, without mentioning the figure to be deployed to protect the embassy.