Ulma Haryanto & Markus Junianto Sihalolo

Central Jakarta police officers planning security for the scheduled student demonstrations calling on the president to deliver on his campaign promises. (JG Photo/Safir Makki)

Police Warn of Traffic Tie-Ups During Rallies

With massive street rallies expected in the capital to mark the end of the current administration’s first 100 days in power, traffic will be diverted in several areas, the Jakarta Police said on Wednesday.

“There are going to be three traffic diversions at places where most rallies are predicted to be concentrated, said Sr. Comr. Condro Kirono, the Jakarta Police’s traffic director.

He identified the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, the Presidential Palace and the House of Representatives complex as potential flashpoints.

“However, the diversions will be situational, so they will only happen if necessary,” he said after a meeting of city officials.

The Vice Presidential Palace, the Constitutional Court and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) buildings are also expected to see large crowds.

Condro said traffic from Senayan heading toward the Hotel Indonesia roundabout will be diverted to Jl. Bendungan Hilir toward Tanah Abang or through Duku Atas to Tanah Abang.

From the opposite direction, traffic will be diverted at the Sarinah intersection and channeled through Tanah Abang.

Traffic from Harmoni towards the Presidential Palace will be diverted to Jl. Cideng, Tanah Abang or Jl. Juanda. Cars coming from Salemba to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout will be diverted to Jl. Diponegoro via Kebon Sirih.

As many as 9,400 police officers and 4,000 public order officers have been assigned to the rallies. Governor Fauzi Bowo said all officers deployed will see to it that demonstrators can make their voices heard in an orderly and safe manner.

The governor also assured citizens that public services such as the busway would run as usual. “We have learned a lot from previous incidents. The general public are encouraged to go on with their daily activities,” he said.

Speaking separately, Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto called on those planning to attend the demonstrations to help prevent clashes between groups.

“There must be a commitment from the people who participate in these rallies to respect each other,” Djoko said, adding that the authorities were aware of the differences that exist between the groups.

Army Chief Gen. George Toisutta said on Wednesday that the police had made no request for backup from the Army, but that it would oblige if asked, with as many troops as was required. He was optimistic, however, that the rallies would go smoothly.

Most of those planning to rally today have aired dissatisfaction over the performance of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government in the first 100 days of his second term in office.

As many as 114 organizations and 30,00 people have registered to take part in the demonstrations, although city officials said they believed turnout would be lower than expected .

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