Jakarta's MH Thamrin Street Still Closed after May 22 Riots

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Traffic Police’s head of Law Enforcement Sub-directorate, Comr. M. Nasir, could not yet confirm when Jl. Thamrin would be reopened to the public following the May 22 riots. 

“As for the road closure, we still wait for confirmation from numerous parties. Why? Because the rally held that night did not go as initially announced,” said Nasir on Jl. M.H. Thamrin on Friday, May 24.

The closure starts from Bundaran HI roundabout up to the Arjuna Wiwaha statue that faces the southern gate of Jakarta’s National Monument (Monas).

The Medan Merdeka Barat street facing Monas up to Majapahit street is also closed. The police advise road users to shift to alternative routes during the closure. 

Read: Police Establish Team to Investigate May 22 Riot

“You may continue your journey via alternative routes from Tanjung Karang or to the left to Jl. M Yamin, or through Wahid Hasyim,” said Nasir.

Based on Tempo’s observation, barbed wires are still placed in front of the Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) headquarters while police anti-riot shields are lined up entirely closing the Sarinah junction.

Rioting broke out in front of the Bawaslu office on Jl. Thamrin on May 21 and 22 following protest rallies sought to contest the results of the presidential election.

M YUSUF MANURUNG