Roller Skating Representative Clarifies Viral Inline Skaters 'Street Takeover'

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Indonesian Roller Skating Association (Poserosi) chairperson Muhammad Sal on Tuesday said that he will be present at the Metro Jaya Police traffic directory after a police summons was issued following an incident that involved a large group of inline skaters - some who turned out to be athletes in training - occupying public roads and were seen disregarding other traffic users.

The police summons is more of an invitation after police announced they would act persuasively in this case and help educate the roller skaters in the viral video that sparked public outrage. Police invited a number of figures from the roller skating scene to the Metro Jaya headquarters on May 10 at noon.

“I will be there at 1 o’clock along with a number of members from other branches,” said Sal.

Muhammad Sal previously already issued a public apology after the incident was recorded by a road user and went viral. The conundrum sparked criticism from Metro Jaya Traffic Director grand commissioner Jamal Alam who believes the skaters violated a law and from the Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria who condemned the reckless act in his Instagram post. 

In Sal’s previous apology, he said the group of roller skaters that were recorded in the viral video comprised decorated athletes in national and international games who conducted a joint training session with Monastana roller skating club in a 49-kilometer marathon. 

He defended that the main reason they trained on public roads is that the athletes are preparing for the National Women’s Cup Championship (PIN) slated for June this year. An officially dedicated track already exists in the JIRTA Sunter facility but Sal defends that it was closed at the time of the viral incident. 

Read: Jakarta Police Condemn Inline Skaters Impeding Traffic On Sunday

ARRIJAL RACHMAN