Jakarta. A protest against Job Creation Law held by several Islamist hardline organizations in National Monument Complex has turned into a riot near the Arjuna Wijaya Statue roundabout in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA 212) started the protests peacefully at noon, and the protesters had told the police that they would disband at 04:00 p.m. But, as the protesters dispersed, a group of teenagers ran towards the police barricade and showered the police with wood, bamboo, bricks, and bottles.
The rioters tried to break through the police's barbed wire, but the attempt failed as the police immediately fired tear gas. Police shot some tear gas at Arjuna Wijaya Statue roundabout and managed to repel the crowd towards Gambir Station and Tugu Tani.
Both the demonstrators and rioters were mostly teenagers, who demanded the government halting the Job Creation Law and President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo resignation.
During the riot, they shout harsh insults at the police. They also burned down road separators, damaged several vehicles, and vandalized the US Embassy walls.
The riot ended at 06:00 p.m. The police said they had detained 500 teenagers involved in the riot.
(JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)
