Indonesia: Labor Party calls for protests in provincial capitals nationwide March 13 /update 1

Event

The Labor Party has called for demonstrations nationwide March 13 to denounce various issues, including the ratification of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation. Organizers had previously planned for the protests to occur March 14 following two long marches to Jakarta from Cilegon, Banten Province, and Bandung, West Java Province, starting March 10. In Jakarta, protesters will gather at the House of Representatives (DPR), while events in other urban centers will probably occur at government buildings, such as provincial, regency, and city councils and the offices of governors, regents, and mayors, and prominent roadways. The party has urged people to gather in other cities, including Aceh, Ambon, Bandung, Banjarmasin, Batam, Bengkulu, Lampung, Makassar, Medan, Morowali, Pekanbaru, Samarinda, Serang, Semarang, Surabaya, Ternate, and Yogyakarta. Organizers did not specify a start time for the action. Hundreds to thousands of people could participate in related demonstrations; the largest turnouts are likely in Jakarta and other major cities.

Authorities will likely enact increased security measures and deploy personnel at protest sites, especially in Jakarta. Localized traffic and business disruptions are possible. Clashes may occur, especially if police forcibly disperse demonstrators. Security forces could conduct mass arrests if protesters get violent or refuse to disperse.

Advice

Avoid any protests due to possible clashes. If violence occurs nearby, immediately depart the area and seek shelter at a safe nongovernmental building. Plan for localized transport and business disruptions. Allow additional time to reach destinations near protest sites. Heed all official security and transport advisories.