City to close access to Semanggi mall

JAKARTA. In a bid to ease traffic on the Semanggi cloverleaf, the city administration will be closing the main access point to the Plaza Semanggi shopping mall on Jl. Gatot Subroto in South Jakarta next year.

Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama said on Monday that the mall’s establishment had violated regulations. “We have asked the mall’s management to build alternative access. If they refuse, we may cancel their operating permit.”

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) reported that the mall was built without undertaking a proper analysis of its potential impact on traffic.

The city’s plan, however, is opposed by the Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI), whose meeting hall is located in the mall complex.

LVRI secretary-general FX Soejito demanded that the city administration provide an alternative measure. The mall has a second point of entry on Jl. Garnisun. The closure of its main access point will force a detour via Jl. Karet Semanggi.