Roads Around The Palace Reopened, Vehicles Can Pass

Closure of Jalan Medan Merdeka, Central Jakarta to secure the demonstration (Photo: Diah Ayu / VOI)

JAKARTA - The police have reopened several roads that were closed due to a demonstration against the Job Creation Act.

Director of the Traffic Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Sambodo Purnomo Yogo, said that the re-opening of roads is because Jakarta is starting to be conducive.

"As of 20:45 WIB all roads can be passed," Sambodo told reporters, Tuesday, October 13.

Furthermore, Sambodo said that there were no reports of public facilities or those belonging to the National Police being damaged during the chaos. The chaos in the area of the Horse Statue, Tugu Tani and Gambir can be resolved quickly.

"Nothing was damaged," he said.

Previously, the Traffic Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya diverted traffic flow around the State Palace, Jalan Merdeka Utara, Central Jakarta, today Tuesday, October 13

Previous riots occurred in the Horse Statue area. The masses of most of these teenagers were beaten back and scattered towards Tanah Abang and Kebon Sirih.

The chaos then continued to the Tugu Tani. Police dispersed the crowd who burned tires in the middle of the road with tear gas shots.

Regarding the riots in Jakarta today, Polda Metro Jaya arrested 500 rioters during a demonstration against the Work Creation Law in Jakarta. Hundreds of people who were arrested from several places were suspected of being anarcho groups.

"Until now, about 500 people we have arrested include anarchos in the area," said Metro Jaya Police Chief, Inspector General Nana Sudjana, to reporters, Tuesday, October 13.

Of the hundreds of rioters who were secured, Nana continued, most of them were students. They are said to have damaged several public facilities.

"The students who they should have learned should not be allowed to participate in this action. (The ones that were damaged) Only a little, yes, only the road divider.