Protesters Begin Occupying Gatot Subroto Road Outside DPR/MPR Complex

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Protesters staging a demonstration outside the DPR/MPR complex in the Senayan area of Central Jakarta began occupying Gatot Subroto Road on Tuesday afternoon, leaving only the Transjakarta lane open.

ANTARA observed at the scene at 3.50pm local time that protesters carrying banners with their demands had begun moving to block the road. Police officers, however, prevented them from closing the Transjakarta lane.

There was some pushing between protesters and police officers, who had set up a blockade beside the Transjakarta lane, but no argument broke out. The partial road closure prompted drivers to sound their horns at one another.

Meanwhile, a speaker continued to address the crowd from a command vehicle parked in front of the DPR/MPR complex.

Despite the demonstration, traffic on Gatot Subroto Road from Semanggi towards Slipi remained busy but flowing ahead of the evening rush hour, as did traffic in the opposite direction. Traffic on Gerbang Pemuda Road, between Gatot Subroto Road and Asia-Afrika Road, was also busy but flowing in both directions. The same conditions were observed on Palmerah Timur Road towards Gelora, connecting with Asia-Afrika and Gerbang Pemuda roads.

No roads around the DPR/MPR complex had been closed, as the demonstration was considered to remain under control. Police officers were stationed around the complex and on roads leading to it.

Police had also prepared road barriers at several locations in case the crowd grew and began to spill onto more roads. These included the Gerbang Pemuda Road flyover and the junction of Gatot Subroto and Gerbang Pemuda roads.

The Jakarta Transportation Agency had prepared alternative routes to be used if congestion developed around the demonstration sites, including the Monas and Tugu Tani areas, the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and the DPR/MPR complex.

Alternative routes around the DPR/MPR complex:

1. Cawang to Slipi/Tomang: Gatot Subroto Road – Gerbang Pemuda Road – Patal Senayan Road – Patal Senayan 1 Road – Permata Hijau Road – Tentara Pelajar Road – S. Parman Road, and onwards.

2. Blok M to Slipi/Tomang: Kyai Maja Road – Kebayoran Baru Road – Sultan Iskandar Muda Road – make a U-turn in front of Gandaria City – Sultan Iskandar Muda Road – Teuku Nyak Arief Road – Tentara Pelajar Road – S. Parman Road, and onwards.

3. Blok M to Harmoni: Sisingamangaraja Road – Jenderal Sudirman Road – K.H. Mas Mansyur Road – Cideng Barat Road – Balikpapan Road – Suryopranoto Road, and onwards; or Trunojoyo Road – Gunawarman Road – Senopati Road – Suryo Road – Wolter Monginsidi Road – Kapten Tendean Road – Terusan H.R. Rasuna Said Road – H.R. Rasuna Said Road – Prof. Dr. Satrio Road – K.H. Mas Mansyur Road – Cideng Barat Road – Balikpapan Road – Suryopranoto Road, and onwards.

4. Harmoni to Blok M: Hayam Wuruk Road – Ir. H. Juanda Road – turn around at the Veteran III Road junction – Veteran Road – Suryopranoto Road – Balikpapan Road – Kyai Caringin Road – Tomang Raya Road – S. Parman Road – Gatot Subroto Road – Pejompongan Raya Road – Tentara Pelajar Road – Cut Nyak Arief Road – Kebayoran Baru Road – Pakubuwono VI Road – Suryo Road – Kyai Maja Road, and onwards.