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SCMP’s Asia desk

Indonesia has sought to assuage security concerns ahead of its 81st Independence Day as it vows to fight misinformation about potential disorder in its capital marring the celebrations, saying the situation is “fully under control”.
Some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta installed additional safety barriers on their premises last week, sparking wild speculation of possible unrest surrounding the August 17 event.
Images of the heightened measures went viral on social media, prompting Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung to urge the establishments to dismantle the barricades, as he maintained that the capital remained peaceful.
“What we are doing is to make Jakarta safe and comfortable. If we feel safe and comfortable, the atmosphere will also be safe and comfortable,” he said on Tuesday.
A day later, Security Minister Djamari Chaniago, flanked by the military and national police chiefs, told reporters there would be no compromise on public safety.
“The domestic situation remains secure and fully under control,” Djamari said, as quoted by The Jakarta Post.
“We are not being complacent. We continue to monitor all developments [to ensure safety].”

The Indonesian Shopping Centre Management Association said the barriers were for security, not to ward off an impending threat, the Jakarta Globe reported.
Though geopolitical developments have caused unease globally, including in Indonesia, Djamari said President Prabowo Subianto’s administration had taken steps to alleviate this pressure on the public.
Indonesia has a long history of anti-government protests demanding accountability, labour rights and democratic reforms, which have sometimes turned violent and deadly.
Misinformation has been peddled on social media in recent days, including purported videos of riotous demonstrations in Jakarta.
Djamari warned users who shared such posts could face criminal prosecution.
“We will identify the accounts involved. If there are indications that their actions constitute a criminal offence under the law, we will take firm legal action,” he said.
According to the Jakarta Globe, Djamari said “those videos are not accurate. Nothing like that is happening in Indonesia today”.

“They may show events from the past, but they do not reflect the current situation,” he added.
Indonesia was rocked by a series of protests last year, fuelled by public fury over perks for lawmakers, economic hardship and the death of a food delivery rider who was struck and fatally injured by an armoured police vehicle in Jakarta.
In June, people also took to the streets in several Indonesian cities to protest against a fuel price increase and Prabowo’s flagship free meals scheme.
The multibillion-dollar programme, criticised for being wasteful and linked to mass food poisonings, has since been partly suspended.


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The move by some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta to erect barricades has fuelled speculation about potential unrest


The move by some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta to erect barricades has fuelled speculation about potential unrest.


Protests around the world

Prabowo Subianto

Pramono Anung

Indonesia warns against users spreading fake news ahead of its Independence Day

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The move by some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta to erect barricades has fuelled speculation about potential unrest

The move by some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta to erect barricades has fuelled speculation about potential unrest