TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police is standing guard across Jakarta's main thoroughfare where its' weekly Car-Free Day is held, in order to ensure that the planned May Day rallies does not interfere and disrupt the daily activities of other Jakarta residents.

The Head of Jakarta Police's Traffic Enforcement Subdirectorate, Adj. Sr. Comr. Budianto, said that Police have instructed rally-goers to respect the areas designated as Car-Free Day zones.

"Rally-goers who will be going to areas where the rallies will be concentrated using their private vehicles should continue to respect our rules and regulations," said Budianto.

Budianto said that labourers will be marching and concentrating to several vital objects, including the Presidential Palace, the House of Representatives, the Jakarta City Hall, the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Headquarters - beginning at 06.00, Jakarta time, before ending their rally at about 13.00, Jakarta time.

After delivering their oration at these areas, the masses will be making their way to the Main Stadium at Gelora Bung Karno, where key labour figures will be in attendance.

Jakarta Police have prepared several traffic diversions to minimise disruptions to other residents' activities over the weekend. Masses from Bekasi, Karawang, and Pulogadung will be directed to enter the city's centre through Cempaka Putih, Jl. Letjen Supraptio, Senen, Tugu Tani, and Monas.

Meanwhile, masses from southern areas such as Bogor and Ciawi, will be directred through the Jagorawi Tollway, or Jl. Raya Bogor, through Tegal Parang Toll Way, JL. HR Rasuna Said, Jl. Cokroaminoto, Tugu Tani, and Monas.

Those coming in from Tangerang, will be directed to pass through Tomang, Jl. IR Juanda, Jl. Veteran, and then onwards to Monas, where parking spaces will be made available around Monas, IRTI, Lapangan Banteng, Senayan's Eastern Parking Lot, and around Senayan - where protesters will be directed to enter the Stadium through Gate 7 and 8.

The Jakarta Police, along with the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) will deploy a total of 16,000 personnel to secure the rallies, which is expected to be attended by 120,000 labourers from Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.

ANTARA