Jakarta – The Jakarta Police will deploy 26,500 personnel to secure May Day protests in Jakarta on Wednesday, in which some 40,000 people are expected to take part.

Security measures will focus on the State Palace area in Central Jakarta, said Jakarta Police spokesman Comr. Argo Yuwono.

"For the May Day event, there will be 1,500 personnel deployed for a protest in the Istora Senayan area and 25,000 for a protest near the State Palace," he said on Monday as reported by Tempo.co.

The police have received 14 protest permits from various workers unions for May Day protests on Wednesday. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people will be involved in May Day commemorations across Jakarta.

Jakarta Police will also apply traffic diversions on Wednesday to prevent traffic congestion.

Argo added that police urged all participants to celebrate May Day peacefully and with positive activities.

Although workers have for years celebrated May Day, the government officially made May 1 a public holiday in 2014 during the administration of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. (das)

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/04/30/jakarta-police-to-beef-up-security-for-may-day.html