May Day, 18,000 Policemen to Secure the City
Reported by Erna Martiyanti | Translated by Anisah Mardhatilla
As many as 15,000 labors from Jakarta and surrounding areas, such as Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi, are predicted to long march on International Labor Day or May Day which commemorated on May 1. Jakarta Police, who have received several permit proposals from the labors to hold demonstration action, will deploy 18,000 personnel to secure the city and anticipate anarchy.
Jakarta Police will deploy 18,000 personnel spread to several points that become mass concentrations
“Jakarta Police will deploy 18,000 personnel spread to several points that become mass concentrations. We have conducted approach to demonstration coordinators to hold their actions without anarchy and in orderly manner, so their aspirations can be delivered smoothly,” stated Jakarta Police Chief Ins. Gen. Dwi Priyatno, Tuesday (4/29).
Moreover, the protesters are requested not to vandalize public facilities or even closing toll roads. If it happened, the police we will take affirmative action in accordance to the prevailing regulations. For that, Jakarta Police have conducted a meeting with demonstration coordinators on last Sunday.
May Day, Thousands of Labor Get Down to City Streets“They (the labors) promise would not close toll roads and act persuasively. If they vandalized public facilities and close toll roads, we’ll act firmly according to the prevailing regulations,” asserted Priyatno.
In addition, to anticipate other interferences, Jakarta Police have also cooperated with regional police in buffer areas, such as West Java Police and Banten Police.
As usual, the labors will be long marching from HI Roundabout to the State Place on Jalan Merdeka Utara, then gather at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Some of their concentration points are HI Roundabout, in front of the State Place and DPR/MPR building as well as government’s offices.
For that, road users are urged to avoid mass concentration points to prevent traffic congestion. However, the traffic is predicted will not be as dense as usual because starting this year the Labor Day is set as national day off, so vehicle volume in the city is estimated to decrease drastically.