HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Jakarta’s Metro Jaya Police have established a special task force to anticipate potential security disturbances following the circulation of social media posts claiming that large-scale demonstrations are being planned for August.
The police said the newly formed Preventive Strike Team is tasked with carrying out early detection and preventive measures to reduce the risk of public disorder and unrest.
Budi Hermanto, head of public relations at the Metro Jaya Police, said the unit consists of personnel from several operational directorates within the police force.
“The Metro Jaya Police Chief has ordered the formation of the Preventive Strike Team, which consists of various operational directorates within Metro Jaya Police,” Budi told reporters, Holopis.com reported, Sunday (2/8).
According to him, the team has been established to anticipate any groups that may attempt to trigger unrest or disrupt public security in Jakarta and surrounding areas, including Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi.
“We have carried out early mitigation measures in case there are groups attempting to create unrest or disrupt public order and security within the Metro Jaya Police jurisdiction, including neighboring areas. Appropriate, firm, and measured action will be taken,” he said.
Police Monitoring Online Calls for Demonstrations
Rumors of large-scale protests have also been linked on social media to the installation of tall security barriers at several shopping centers across Jakarta.
However, Budi emphasized that the police have not received any official notification regarding a planned demonstration.
“As of now, Metro Jaya Police have not received any formal notification regarding the reported protest,” he said.
Despite the absence of an official notice, authorities said they are actively monitoring developments.
The Cyber Crime Directorate and the General Criminal Investigation Directorate are tracking online posters, digital flyers, and calls for demonstrations circulating on social media to determine whether they represent genuine plans for mass mobilization.
“We will examine whether these flyers and online invitations are simply being circulated or whether they indicate an actual planned mass protest. We are also coordinating with intelligence analysts to assess the current situation,” Budi explained.
As a precaution, the Metro Jaya Police, together with the Jakarta Military Command (Kodam Jaya), have intensified large-scale patrols at strategic locations across Jakarta and neighboring cities.
Police also urged the public not to be easily influenced by unverified information circulating online and encouraged residents to continue their daily activities as usual, stressing that the security situation in Jakarta remains under control.
