This emergency message is being issued to advise all U.S. citizens in Jakarta to avoid taking any taxi service or public transportation, and avoid the demonstration areas until the situation becomes clearer. The Embassy has received reports that several U.S. citizens have been forced to exit Blue Bird taxis after being confronted by taxi drivers from rival taxi services. This is reportedly related to the ongoing, large scale, labor-dispute demonstrations today that have become increasingly aggressive. Security officials indicate that the majority of protestors are members from the “Association of Land Transportation”. At this time, reports state the following locations are being targeted for ongoing protest: DPR Building (Gatot Subroto Street), Minister of Communication (Merdeka Barat Street), Governor’s Office (Merdeka Selatan Street), DPRD Building (Kebon Sirih) and the Presidential Palace (Merdeka Utara Street).
The U.S. Embassy would like to remind all U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities. Specific safety concerns should be addressed to Indonesian law enforcement authorities who are responsible for the safety of all visitors to Indonesia.
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and IndonesiaCountry Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta (http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/us-service.html), located at 5 Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jakarta, at +62-21 3435-9055/9054, 07:30 a.m. to 04:00 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 (http://surabaya.usconsulate.gov/service.html) is located at Jl. Citra Raya Niaga No. 2, Surabaya, at +62 31-297-5300, 07:30 a.m. to 04:00 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, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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