Traffic Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police had deployed 350 personnel of the traffic police to guard the flow of traffic around the rally locations to ensure smooth movement.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A joint team comprising 3,385 personnel of the National Defence Forces (TNI) , the National Police and the Government of Jakarta were readied to manage and secure a rally against community activity restrictions (PPKM) .

"Some 3,385 units are ready to monitor and secure the rally," Jakarta Metropolitan Police Operations Bureau Chief Commissioner Marsudianto confirmed here on Saturday.

Marsudianto spoke of the deployment of security personnel at two locations of the rally that did not happen.

"Personnel are deployed around Monas (the National Monument) and the House of Representatives’ building," he revealed.

In addition to security personnel, Traffic Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police had deployed 350 personnel of the traffic police to guard the flow of traffic around the rally locations to ensure smooth movement.

Posters were circulated on social media inviting all to partake in a long march as a big group from the Glodok area to the State Palace on Saturday, July 24, to voice rejection to the enforcement of PPKM.

The Jakarta Metro Police had urged the public to desist from taking to the streets and holding rallies to voice their aspirations and opinions regarding PPKM.

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The Jakarta Metro Police is heedful of the public’s expectations of easing of the PPKM, but if health protocols continue to be flouted by engaging in acts, such as crowding, which potentially trigger a spike in COVID-19 positive cases, then it will become increasingly difficult for the government to ease PPKM.

"How can we ease (PPKM), if there is a crowd activity like this again? We feel sorry for the situation at hospitals and cemeteries, as all of them are full," Head of Public Relations of the Jakarta Police Senior Commissioner Yusri Yunus remarked at the Metro Jaya Headquarters.

According to Yunus, the Jakarta Metro Police will accommodate those keen to express their opinions and has made an appeal to not cause crowds that can potentially create new COVID-19 clusters.

"Those, who want to express their opinions, can please approach the Jakarta Metro Police or the relevant agencies. We will heed to their requests wisely, and with that, we can avoid crowding and creating a new cluster again," he affirmed.


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Translator: Fianda Rassat, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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