Jakarta: message to US citizens: avoid taxis

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Jakarta (Indonesia), Avoid Demonstrations and Taking Taxis in Jakarta
Transportation Security; Travel Health and Safety
East Asia & Pacific > Indonesia > Jakarta
3/22/2016

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.

https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19343