Muhammad Taufiqqurahman, Jakarta – A clash between hundreds of workers and police broke out during the commemoration of May Day in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Saturday when demonstrators became angry after police arrested a protester who they alleged was a provocateur.

At 2pm, a person was suddenly arrested by police. Upon seeing this, protesters tried to free their colleague. They took pieces of wood and clubs and attacked the police, who tried to hold their position with riot shields.

The situation became even more heated after a second worker was arrested, with demonstrators throwing bottle of mineral water and pieces of wood at police.

Another clash broke out when workers approach the barricade in front of the State Palace, but were stopped by police equipped with riot shields. Police then responded by spraying them with a water cannon. The drenched workers however continued to fight by throwing bottles, wood and other items found lying on the street.

Emotions began running high after police arrested a third person, with workers again pelting police and attacking the police barricade with lengths of wood. “Three demonstrators were arrested, it’s not yet clear why”, said a protester from the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH).

In order to prevent the clash worsening, in the end police retreated back to the National Monument gardens and closed the gate behind them. “Oi, have the guts to come out, don’t stay inside”, shouted one of the workers in the direction of police. The police however remained on guard inside the garden.

In order to drive the protesters away, the water cannon was again used. The demonstrators however remain fearless and continued to attack the police line. The situation was diffused slightly after field coordinators attempted to calm demonstrators down.

At around 3.30 the workers began leaving the State Place in waves, leaving behind used mineral water bottles, food containers and pieces of wood scattered along Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara. Gathering at the entrance to the National Monument, they then marched to the Indosat building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur.

Around 150 workers meanwhile continued holding an action at the Palace while police remained on guard.

[Abridged translation by James Balowski compiled from four Detik.com reports.]