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Police to escort May Day ralliers coming to Jakarta
Jakarta Globe - April 28, 2012
Lenny Tristia Tambun – The Jakarta Police will escort laborers coming to the capital for Tuesday's May Day rally.
Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Untung S. Rajab said the outrider escorts were to ensure the rally proceeded peacefully. Untung called on laborers not to bring anything that would endanger themselves or Jakarta residents. He also asked protesters not to vandalize public facilities in Jakarta.
"Don't bring Molotov cocktails, firecrackers or chemical substances. If they bring those, it means they have illicit intentions," he said. "Violators will be punished according to the law. If you want to stage demonstrations, go ahead. But please, maintain, respect and obey the law."
Police are anticipating traffic congestion on May Day and will try to keep traffic flowing, the chief said.
Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said more than 16,000 joint personnel would be assigned to secure the capital on May Day. He said they would come from the National Police, Jakarta Police districts, the armed forces and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).
Rikwanto said labor organizations had been asked to inform the police about their demonstration route. "They have to let us know where it will start and end, and how many people will be involved. We will facilitate it and guard them so that it can go smoothly," he said.
Rikwanto said the Jakarta Police would focus their efforts on toll roads and several other popular demonstration spots ahead of the rally to minimize the impact on traffic.
In protests earlier this year, demonstrators blocked toll roads in the Greater Jakarta area. A rally against the now-postponed plan to increase the price of subsidized fuel blocked a toll road in South Jakarta, while a protest in January demanding an increase in the minimum wage blocked a toll road in Cikarang.
Both rallies resulted in crippling traffic with many commuters stuck for hours. "We will guard the toll roads because they are public property," Rikwanto said.
Police will also beef up security in front of the State Palace, the House of Representatives building, the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration office on Jalan Gatot Subroto.
The Indonesian Labor Unions Confederation (KSPI) said at least 100,000 workers would participate in the Labor Day rally.
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