North Jakarta Police Set Up Blockades at Nine Points to Anticipate Protest Masses

The North Jakarta Metro Police have set up blockades at nine points bordering other areas to anticipate masses from outside the region attending a demonstration in the Monas area, Central Jakarta, on Friday. “This blockade is carried out to anticipate masses indicated to have the intention of disrupting public order and security,” said North Jakarta Metro Police Deputy Chief AKBP Rohman Yonky Dilatha in Jakarta on Friday. He stated that nine blockade points are guarded by 97 joint personnel to monitor and supervise the movement of additional masses from outside the area. According to Rohman, if masses pass through, officers will inquire about their purpose and activities. “If they have a clear purpose to demonstrate peacefully, they will be allowed to pass, but if there is potential for anarchist actions, they will be advised to return to their areas,” he said. The nine secured points are spread across four locations in Cilincing District, one in Kelapa Gading, one in Penjaringan, one in Tanjung Priok, one in Pademangan, and one in Plumpang. Rohman said that as of Friday afternoon, the situation in the area remains conducive. Despite the calm, security will continue to be maintained until Friday evening. “Alhamdulillah, so far it is still conducive. This security will be carried out until the situation is truly conducive,” he said. Previously, Polda Metro Jaya stated that the traffic blockade scheme on a number of protocol roads in Jakarta during demonstrations is situational in nature to maintain the smooth flow of public activities. “The blockade is situational. The Sudirman, Thamrin, and Bundaran HI areas are the centre of gravity of Jakarta,” said Polda Metro Jaya Public Relations Head Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto on Friday. Budi explained that these areas are vital points for the economy, hospitality, and the hub of various public transportation modes in the capital. According to him, if a build-up of masses causes congestion in the area, the impact will spread to other arterial road nodes, such as Jalan Gatot Subroto.