US Embassy in Jakarta Blocks Public Access to Sidewalk in Front of its Office

Jakarta –

Pedestrian request that sidewalk in front of the US EmbassyUS Embassy) opened to the general public pedestrians. This is the reaction of the US Embassy.

“We understand your concern about sidewalk access and pedestrian safety, and we invite you to refer to the Indonesian authorities regarding questions about reopening the sidewalk,” said US Embassy Spokesperson in Jakarta, Michael Quinlan, to detikcom, Friday (2/6) /2023).

The US Embassy office is located on Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta, on the same row as City Hall DKI Jakarta and directly next door to the Palace of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. However, the sidewalk that can be accessed by pedestrians stops until the area in front of the Indonesian Vice President’s Palace because the sidewalk in front of the US Embassy has been closed with a concrete barrier (MCB) and barbed wire, which has been around for a long time.

The US Embassy submitted the decision regarding the opening of the sidewalk in front of its office to the Indonesian side. Previously, the party with the most authority regarding pedestrian infrastructure, the DKI Bina Marga Agency, stated that they would coordinate with related parties to find a solution for pedestrian rights in this central Jakarta location. However, so far the Bina Marga Service has not talked about opening sidewalks but instead creating diversion routes for pedestrians.

“Noting that in that area there are vital assets/objects of foreign countries, I think this needs to be discussed further with relevant stakeholders in the area such as the DKI Provincial Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassies of the foreign countries concerned to obtain an adequate pedestrian diversion route design. and meet the expectations of all stakeholders,” said Wiwik.

Previously, the Pedestrian Coalition announced the opening of the sidewalk in front of the Uncle Sam Embassy south of Monas.

“We, the Pedestrian Coalition, hope that this space will be opened up for pedestrians. Pedestrians should not be allowed to walk on the main road,” said Chairman of the Pedestrian Coalition, Alfred Sitorus, to detikcom, Wednesday (31/5).

One pedestrian named Alfan Wicaksono (18) walked from the National Library (Perpusnas) to Gondangdia Station. The journey that Alfan took while walking along Jl Medan Merdeka Selatan tended to be smooth until he found an inaccessible sidewalk.

“That’s not effective and dangerous either. It should be repaired so it can be passed,” said Alfan when met by detik.com, Tuesday (30/5).

Meanwhile, another pedestrian, Arif (54) considers that pedestrian access should still be able to pass the sidewalk. He then compared the sidewalks in front of other office buildings which remain open and free for pedestrians to pass through.

“Actually, why is it closed? The people there are also security guards. If that’s the case (the office across the street) it’s nice to have a sidewalk. People walking instead take priority. Moreover, this is downtown, people want to see the road around there,” said Arif.

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