Indonesian media reports indicate that a number of organizations have called for large-scale protests in central Jakarta and other major cities in Indonesia on Friday, November 4. The Indonesian government has announced that the Indonesian National Police and military (TNI) will be present to provide security for these events. The protests are expected to begin after Friday prayers at approximately 1:00 p.m., but participants are expected to gather by late morning. In Jakarta, the expected demonstration route is from the Istiqlal Mosque around Independence Square (Medan Merdeka) to the Presidential Palace and other locations. Authorities expect traffic congestion and delays in these and nearby areas in central Jakarta. As a result, the Consular Section in Jakarta will be closed to the public on Friday, November 4, 2016.
In Surabaya, the demonstrations are scheduled to be held in Surabaya and will begin near Cito (City of Tomorrow) and continue towards the East Java Police Headquarters (Polda Jatim), as well as in front of the East Java Governor’s Office. Authorities expect traffic will be impacted in the area of the demonstrations. As a result, the Consular Section in Surabaya will be closed to the public on Friday, November 4, 2016.
In Medan, the demonstrations are expected to take place at the provincial mosque (Masjid Agung) next to governor’s office with a planned march to the provincial police headquarters. Protestors have called for demonstrations in large and secondary cities throughout Sumatra.
U.S citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. There exists the possibility that some extremists groups could take advantage of the November 4 protests to incite or carry out violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
For further information about security in Indonesia:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Indonesia Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta (https://id.usembassy.gov/), located at 5 Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jakarta, at +62-21 3435-9055/9054, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is+62-21 3435 9000, then press 0 for the operator. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Embassy can also be reached by e-mail at jakartaacs@state.gov.
- The U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya (https://id.usembassy.gov/) is located at Jl. Citra Raya Niaga No. 2, Surabaya, at +62 31-297-5300, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Monday through Friday. The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +62 81-133-4183. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can also be reached by e-mail at SurabayaACS@state.gov.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Mondaythrough Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
