Thamrin City Mall Was Not Looted, But Had Been Destroyed By Crowds

Police while guarding a demonstration against the Job Creation Law (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The police have denied reports on social media about the mass looting of Thamrin City Mall, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. However, the police agreed with the vandalism in the vicinity.

Central Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Heru Novianto said the crowd damaged the front of the building. This vandalism occurred when the protesters against the Job Creation Law were beaten by officers, on Tuesday, October 13 afternoon.

"(The rioters) damaged the front and could be driven away by our troops," Heru told reporters, Wednesday, October 14.

Meanwhile, Head of Tanah Abang Sub-district Yassin Pasaribu said that the crowd had burned the area around Thamrin City Mall. However, soon the police dispersed them and extinguished the fire.

"That's all that was burned, the billboards," he said.

Previously it was reported, Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Heru Novianto. Heru emphasized that there was no looting incident at Thamrin City Mall.

"I make sure there is no looting. I am at the TKP (scene of the case). It's all safe, no one has been looted," Heru said when confirmed, Tuesday, October 13 evening.

Heru continued, currently the conditions around Thamrin City Mall have also been conducive. Residents who previously gathered have returned home.

"Currently it is sloping. The residents have returned. We, the (police) troops have also returned," he said