Police Chief Urges Restraint After Clash in Tambak, Menteng

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Central Jakarta Police Chief, Commissioner Pol Reynold E.P. Hutagalung, has urged the public to maintain a conducive situation and not be easily provoked following a clash in the Jalan Tambak area, Pegangsaan sub-district, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The appeal was made by the Police Chief while inspecting the area in front of the Matraman Grand Mosque alongside the Menteng Sub-district Head, Pegangsaan Village Head, community leaders, neighbourhood and community unit administrators, and religious figures.

“We want to appeal to residents, especially those in Matraman Dalam, Pegangsaan Village, not to be provoked and to continue carrying out their activities as usual,” Reynold told the media in Jakarta on Monday.

He stated that the Central Jakarta Metro Police, together with the Metro Jaya Regional Police and the Jaya Regional Military Command, continue to maintain a presence at the location to provide a sense of safety and comfort to the community following the incident the previous day.

According to him, security has also been focused on several points, including around the Matraman Grand Mosque and Jalan Pegangsaan, which are centres of community activity as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Reynold said joint personnel have been at the location since the previous day and continue to mingle with residents to provide a sense of security while also urging the public to exercise restraint.

“We are currently maintaining security following yesterday’s incident. There is one company from Polda Metro Jaya, in addition to Central Jakarta Metro Police and Sector Police personnel, as well as one company from the Military Area Command. The aim is to patrol and create a safe and conducive situation,” he said.

Furthermore, the Police Chief also asked the public to use social media wisely and not to spread information whose truth has not been verified, so as not to trigger unrest in the community.

“We ask the public not to engage in excessive reporting and to use social media properly and correctly. Trust the law enforcement process to the ranks of the Metro Jaya Regional Police,” he said.