Jakarta – Toll road operator Jasa Marga closed most entrances to Jakarta's inner-city toll road on Thursday night for safety reasons after protesters gathered around the parliament complex began entering the highway.

The demonstration called for the passage of an asset forfeiture law and protested several government policies that participants said did not serve the public interest.

Instead of dispersing after nightfall, protesters spread onto the toll road, which runs through central Jakarta from Pluit in the north to Cawang in the south.

Widiyatmiko Nursejati, senior general manager of Jasa Marga Metropolitan Tollroad, said the closures were implemented on police instructions.

The affected entrances were Cawang, Tebet 1, Kuningan 1, Senayan, Slipi 1, Slipi 2, Pejompongan, Angke 2, Jelambar 2, and Tanjung Duren.

"Motorists traveling from Slipi toward Cawang are also advised to temporarily avoid the Inner-City Toll Road and adjust their routes according to traffic conditions," Widiyatmiko said in a statement.

He urged motorists to follow instructions from officers, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and prioritize safety.

"Jasa Marga apologizes for the inconvenience caused by these operational adjustments. Together with the police and operational personnel, we continue to monitor traffic conditions and make adjustments as necessary on the ground," Widiyatmiko said.

Police temporarily halted traffic on the section of the toll road passing in front of the parliament complex to prevent vehicles from coming into contact with protesters.

Motorists who had already entered the affected section were instructed to turn around through emergency access points opened by police.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/jakarta-shuts-toll-road-entrances-after-protesters-spill-onto-highwa