The DKI Provincial Government Asks The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs To Help Solutions To Complaints On The Front Of The US Embassy To Be Blocked

PHOTO OF ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH/Afif Ramdhasuma

JAKARTA - Recently, there have been complaints from the public regarding the condition of the sidewalk or pedestrian lane in front of the blocked United States Embassy office, so that people cannot cross the sidewalk.

Responding to this, the Head of the Data and Information Center of the DKI Jakarta Highways Agency, Wiwik Wahyuni, admitted that he had received this complaint.

Wiwik said that the blockage of the front sidewalk at the embassy on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan was carried out on the grounds of security by the United States diplomatic representative office.

However, the DKI Provincial Government also wants the public to continue to get their right to use pedestrian paths. Therefore, DKI will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for help regarding the resolution of this problem.

"Paying attention to the interest and aspirations of the public to be able to use the pedestrian path sidewalk in front of the US Embassy on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan and also to pay attention to that in the area there is also a security perimeter of the Embassy, the Bina Marga Office will coordinate with related elements of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and also with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy to get the best technical solutions for all parties," Wiwik said in a short message, Tuesday, June 6.

The problem of the front sidewalk of the US Embassy was previously revealed in 2013. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok, while serving as Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, also responded at that time. However, this complaint arose again.

One of the complaints about the closure of the sidewalk to the public in front of the US Embassy and its use exclusively for visitors to the embassy came from the Pedestrian Coalition. Chairman of the Pedestrian Coalition Alfred Sitorus questioned why the public could not use their rights to the public space.

"Even though the US adheres to a city that is friendly to pedestrians. Why, it's as exclusive as the sidewalk? Even though it's a public space, you know. So, what doesn't belong to them should be subject to legal rights where they are," said Alfred.

Meanwhile, he continued, none of the other embassy offices closed sidewalk access from the public, such as the French and Japanese Embassy on Jalan MH Thamrin, the Spanish Embassy on Jalan H Agus Salim, to the Russian Embassy on Jalan HR Rasuna Said.

Then, Alfred urged the DKI Provincial Government to immediately open the sidewalk access in front of the US Embassy. Given, so far the condition of pedestrian access in front of the US Embassy is on the road and only facilitated by traffic cones or barriers.

"This is what we really regret, we are concerned. WHY, how come the Indonesian government is not brave? The DKI Provincial Government is just talking, only communication. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must also be asked about this public space, a road worth a building that is blocked and inaccessible," he said.