Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 11/10/2010 10:05 AM
Road closed: Scores of vehicles (right) wait on Jl. Gatot Subroto for the convoy of US President Barack Obama to pass through. Several roads were closed to motorists to make smooth passage for Obama’s motorcade on Tuesday. This led to massive traffic jams on several roads in Jakarta. JP/Wendra Ajistyatama Jakarta could have been mistaken for a military parade ground on Tuesday evening, when hundreds of members of the police and the military stood guard along many kilometers of road to secure US President Barack Obama’s motorcade.
Soon after the Air Force One landed at 4:20 p.m. at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, the usually congested Cawang interchange was deserted because traffic had been diverted to alternative routes to make way for Obama’s motorcade.
Jakarta’s notorious traffic was a non-issue for Obama, as it took his entourage only 10 minutes to reach the State Palace from the airport, a trip that for regular Jakartans would take at least an hour depending on the traffic.
Obama gleefully gave his remark about the road blockage in a joint press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono later in the evening.
“The landscape has changed completely since I was here in 1967. I remember people on becak — bicycle rickshaw things — or bemo, which were sort of like mobile taxis…Now, as president, I can’t see the traffic. The streets are blocked,” he said, followed by laughter from a crowd of officials and reporters.
The road blockade extended all the way to Jl. Sudirman, the city’s main thoroughfare, which leads to the State Palace.
As Obama’s motorcade passed through the deserted thoroughfare, massive traffic snarls were forming on Jl. Gadjah Mada. The TransJakarta busway corridor that plies the Blok M-Kota route ceased operating at 4:15 p.m. to make way for Obama’s arrival. Wet roads made the traffic worse in some areas.
The road closures sparked outrage from city residents, who could only ponder what life in Jakarta might be like if its roads were always as clear as they were made for Obama.
“Given these rainy conditions, how can [Obama] reach the State Palace from Halim Perdanakusuma airport in just 10 minutes,” Jakartan Renny Sutiyoso said on her Twitter feed.
The city police have beefed up security in strategic locations in Jakarta by deploying more than 9,000 personnel for the duration of Obama’s 24-hour visit to the capital.
The Jakarta Military Command meanwhile had deployed more than 5,000 personnel to help the city police secure the capital.
In anticipation of Obama’s visit to Istiqlal Mosque on Wednesday, caretakers of the mosque said they were ready to welcome Obama, who is expected to tour inside the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia.
“Just like any other state guest, Obama is expected to take off his shoes,” one of Istiqlal’s caretakers, Subandi, said as quoted by Antara news agency.
Responding to reports that Gambir railway station, which is located in the vicinity of Istiqlal Mosque, would be closed during Obama’s visit to the mosque, state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) said all railway services from the station would run on schedule.
“There will not be any cancellations during Obama’s trip,” PT KAI spokesman Mateta Rijalulhaq told The Jakarta Post.
After Istiqlal, Obama is scheduled to visit the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok, south of Jakarta, to deliver a speech.
Some of the invitees of the UI speech were requested to arrive early in the morning at a meeting point downtown from where they will be ferried by bus to the campus.
In anticipation of Obama’s visit, the UI campus authority has decided to send their students home early and have cleared the area of street vendors and motorcycle taxis.
The nearby railway service will remain operational while Obama is on the campus, PT KAI said.
After making his speech, Obama is scheduled to lay a wreath at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
Earlier in the day, Yudhoyono would hold a memorial service in conjunction with National Heroes Day.
Due to the planned road closures in the area and cellular network jamming, Jakartans are advised to stay clear of Kalibata on Wednesday.
