Indonesia: Police ordered to shoot street criminals on sight

Event

To increase security ahead of the 2018 Asian Games sporting event (August 18 to September 2), which will see thousands of international athletes and officials descend upon Jakarta and Palembang (South Sumatra), authorities have instructed police to shoot street criminals on sight in a bid to lower crime rates. Muggers and thieves on motorcycles will be specifically targeted. In recent days, several muggings have occurred in downtown Jakarta (e.g. Jendral Sudirman, Sampoerna Strategic Square), with victims describing the assailant as a man in all black wearing a full-face helmet and riding a motorcycle.

Context

The 45 member states of the Olympic Council of Asia will participate in the 2018 Asia Games. Events will be held in and around Jakarta and Palembang. Regarding transportation, the Jakarta LRT will link the athletes' village in the Central Jakarta neighborhood of Kemayoran to the Velodrome, located in East Jakarta's Rawamangun area.

Advice

People present in Indonesia should take note of this new security regulation, anticipate various consequences (on transportation and security) during the games, and obey any instructions issued by police and other authorities.