Ken Yunita, Jakarta – Traffic conditions in Jakarta appear set to worsen today, Tuesday March 26, with five protest actions enlivening different parts of the capital.
As reported on the Metro Jaya regional police Traffic Management Center (TMC) website, one of the actions that is likely to create traffic congestion is a protest in front of the State Palace on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in Central Jakarta.
The action, which will start at 10am, will be joined by around 2 thousand people. “The Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) will be calling on the government to reduce the price of basic commodities and stabilise oil prices,” reported the TMC website.
In another action, which will take place between 8am-4pm, the South Sulawesi Indonesian Islamic Students Movement (PMII) will be holding a demonstration at two locations, first they will gather at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout then move off in the direction of the House of Representatives building on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Central Jakarta. The action, which will be protesting against the Haj Plus quota policy, is expected to be joined by around 200 people.
The third protest, which will take place at 9am, is being organised by the Sukapura Cilincing Majlis Taklim (Koranic recital group). The action will be opposing the construction of stalls at the Cakung-Cilincing Nusantara Bonded Zone (KBN) and will be held at the offices of the State Minister for State-Owned Enterprises on Jl. Merdeka Selatan in Central Jakarta.
The next demonstration will be held in front of the Chinese Embassy in the Mega Kuningan area of South Jakarta between 10am-1pm. The group Falun Gong Indonesia (FGI) will be calling for an end to the torture and murder of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
The last action is being organised by the Jakarta Islamic Student Alliance and Student Network (AMIJ-JM) and the Jakarta Depok Community (MDJ) at 12noon. Protest will take place at two locations, the Department of Religious Affairs on Jl. Lapangan Banteng and in front of the State Place. They will also be opposing the Haj Plus quota. (ken/ken)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
