Beton-Kawat Barrier Is Being Eliminated, The Front Sidewalk Of The US Embassy Can Now Be Accessed

The sidewalk in front of the United States Embassy (US) Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, Saturday (10/6/2023). (Doc. ANTARA/Siti Nurhaliza)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government reopened access to the sidewalk in front of the United States Embassy (US) on Saturday, June 10. The concrete and barbed wire, which had closed access and were heavily criticized, had been removed.

"Following up on the results of Coordination with Stakeholders related to the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has carried out a Re-opening (Reopening) of Road and Sidewalk Agencys in front of the US Embassy," he said.

The sidewalk cleaning process has been carried out since Friday, June 9, evening. The concrete barrier and barbed wire that had closed access have been moved.

Currently, the sidewalk has returned to function. So, people can use these public facilities.

"The work has been running well so that the sidewalk can be re-functioned as pedestrian access so that pedestrians can walk comfortably and safely," said Wiwik.

For information, 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.

Previously, the Pedestrian Coalition had also long complained about the closure of the sidewalk in front of the United States Embassy office on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan. The 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.

Alfred urged the DKI Provincial Government to immediately open access to the sidewalk 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.

"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 concluded.