Jakarta – Eight toll gates within Jakarta,directing traffic toward Cawang,were closed Saturday night as demonstrations persisted near the MPR/DPR RI (People’s Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives) building,according to Jasa Marga,the Indonesian toll road operator. Drivers were advised to seek alternative routes, avoiding the toll road within the city limits.The closures stemmed from a significant presence of protestors remaining in the area surrounding the legislative complex late into the night. Reports from the scene indicated some demonstrators attempted to access the toll road, prompting the closures to maintain public safety and manage traffic flow. The ongoing demonstrations and resulting disruptions impact commuters and regional traffic patterns, with potential for continued delays as the situation evolves.
As of 11:22 PM local time on August 30th, large groups of protestors were observed on Jalan Palmerah Timur in Slipi, Jakarta. Police and military personnel were deployed to the area and responded to protestors who launched firecrackers in their direction and toward police barricades.
Authorities deployed tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds, but protestors remained, continuing to occupy the roadway. Traffic in the vicinity was brought to a standstill, with limited vehicle movement, including motorcycles traveling against the flow of traffic from Cawang toward Slipi. Jasa Marga reiterated it’s request for drivers to utilize alternative routes.
(maa/idh)