Post-protest unrest disrupts Jakarta commute

Friday morning witnessed the aftermath of unrest originating from Thursday's protest at the Senayan Legislative Complex in Central Jakarta that extended into nearby Pejompongan and Slipi. Residents there established makeshift roadblocks to resist unidentified groups. Throughout Friday morning, unidentified entities set ablaze vehicles and a police station, causing disruptions to public transit, including the Commuter Line.

KAI Commuter announced that trains bound and originating from Tanah Abang were delayed as conditions were deemed unsafe due to crowds congregating along the Palmerah-Tanah Abang tracks.

Thursday's protest saw hundreds of participants, primarily from Pati, Central Java, advocating for the prompt approval of the asset forfeiture bill and stringent penalties against corrupt individuals. As evening approached, an unidentified crowd gathered around the legislative complex, engaging in acts such as burning trash and attempting to storm the building. Following the protest, the United Pati People's Alliance (AMPB) disbanded after meeting with legislators who assured them the bill would pass by December.

The situation escalated when police deployed water cannons to disperse the crowds, leading to their dispersal towards Pejompongan in Central Jakarta and Slipi in West Jakarta. Reports indicated that a Slipi Police subsector post had been set alight, along with two motorcycles parked nearby. Prior to the fires, witnesses reported that a group of students, en route from Karet Kuningan in South Jakarta, pelted rocks at police near the subsector post, causing the officers to retreat.

A group of residents blocked Jl. Pejompongan Raya leading to Palmerah Station until around 8 a.m. on Friday, when traffic resumed its normal course.

The protest on Aug. 27 marked the first anniversary of nationwide demonstrations that spiraled into violence, resulting in at least a dozen fatalities and thousands of arrests.