Febrina Ayu Scottiati, Jakarta – A peaceful commemoration of Labour Day in front of the State Palace in Jakarta became heated after protesters set fire to five tyres at around 12.15pm forcing police to deploy anti-riot troops.

Two police officers equipped with fire fighting equipment attempted to extinguish the fires, which were generating a thick black smoke. It took around 15 minutes for the pair to completely put out the fires.

As a result, around 50 anti-riot troops wearing black uniforms, helmets and armed with truncheons were deployed to anticipate any undesirable incidents and setup a barbed-wire blockade.

“We did not have any plans to set fire to tyres in front of the Palace. Whoever set fire to the tyres was not one of our demonstrators”, said the action coordinator speaking from atop an open truck.

By around 12.45pm the atmosphere returned to normal with around 5,000 demonstrators from various labour organisation who packed Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara as far as Gambir train station listening to speeches from the from their respective leaders. (gah/fay)

Source: Ban Dibakar di Depan Istana, Aksi Hari Buruh Sempat Memanas – DetikNews. Minggu, 01/05/2011

 [Slightly abridged translation by James Balowski.]