Protests At Regional Police Station Heat Up, MRT Closes Entrance to Istora Mandiri Station

JAKARTA - PT MRT Jakarta has closed the entrance to Istora Mandiri Station due to a protest by student and community groups in front of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters (Polda Metro Jaya), which began to escalate this afternoon.

The closure of the entrance near the SCBD area on Jenderal Sudirman Street has been in effect since 3:45 PM WIB. Entrance A of Bendungan Hilir Station is located not far from the Polda Metro.

"In connection with the increase in mass activity around Jenderal Sudirman Street, we hereby inform you that all entrances to Istora Mandiri MRT Station and Entrance A of Bendungan Hilir Station are temporarily closed until further notice," said Ahmad Pratomo, Acting Head of the Corporate Secretary Division of PT MRT Jakarta, in a statement on Friday, August 29.

In addition, MRT Jakarta trains will temporarily stop at Istora Mandiri Station until the situation is declared conducive.

Pratomo asked MRT Jakarta customers to use entrances other than those at the closed stations. MRT Jakarta operations are continuing as normal today, despite these adjustments.

"We apologize for any inconvenience caused. The safety and comfort of customers is always the top priority of the Jakarta MRT," said Pratomo.

The demonstration in front of the Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters (Polda Metro Jaya) turned chaotic. The crowd, dominated by students, vandalized a police car. The demonstration was reportedly related to the repressive actions of Brimob officers who ran over online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver Affan Kurniawan, killing him.

The vandalism began when a convoy of approximately five police cars passed in front of the crowd gathered on the side of Jenderal Sudirman Street.

The crowd then shouted "murderers" at the police convoy. They even intercepted the lead police car.

"Murderers... Murderers..." the crowd shouted in unison.

At that point, the crowd began their vandalism. They hit and kicked the white and blue police car. From a distance, the car was visible with damage, broken windows, and dented bodywork.

Finally, the convoy retreated. The four other cars immediately entered the Polda Metro Jaya building.

The same was true for the remaining car. Despite being damaged, the car was successfully brought into the headquarters.

Meanwhile, seven Brimob officers have been arrested in the case of Affan Kurniawan's death. They are identified as Police Commissioner C, Police Inspector M, Police Brigadier R, Police Brigadier B, Police Brigadier M, Baraka Y, and Baraka J.