Massive rally clogs Jakarta's thoroughfares

JAKARTA. Thousands of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) protesters staged rally on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat and Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta, calling for a cancellation of fuel price hike plans, on Tuesday.

The rally caused congestion not only on both streets but also caused major back-ups on other thoroughfares, including Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman.

Transjakarta buses are not able to stop at the National Monument (Monas) bus stop because the protesters forced the Transjakarta officers to temporarily close the shelter.

"Every bus that should stop at the Monas shelter will make a stop instead at Harmoni and Senen bus stops," Ricky, a busway officer at the Harmoni shelter told The Jakarta Post.

He said that the Monas shelter will temporarily be shut down until 5 p.m. However, if the rally becomes more chaotic, the shelter may remain closed until later in the evening.

The Post also observed that protesters from various organizations also flocked to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, causing traffic jams in surrounding areas, including Sudirman and Jl. Imam Bonjol, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The Indonesian Police, Indonesian Military (TNI), and Mobile Brigade (Brimob) were on site to help secure the area. (The Jakarta Post)