MotoGP Mandalika Parade; Merdeka Palace-HI Roundabout Roads Closed

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Traffic Police closed off several roads for the MotoGP parade in the capital to welcome the MotoGP Mandalika event today, March 16. 

According to the Director of Jakarta Traffic Police Sr. Comr. Sambodo Purnomo Yogo, road access from Merdeka Palace road, Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan MH Thamrin, to the HI roundabout will be closed from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.

“The closure will be carried out when the group [of parade participants] passes from north to south (Merdeka Palace to HI Roundabout). Meanwhile, the opposite road is open as normal,” said Sambodo as quoted from the National Police's Traffic Management Center (NTMC) page today.

Sambodo said the roads are closed to prevent spectators from suddenly entering the parade arena and to ensure the safety of the Mandalika MotoGP racers. “We have prepared 500 police personnel to guard the lanes,” he added.

The Jakarta MotoGP Mandalika parade will be joined by 80 participants including 20 racers of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, and the Asia Talent Cup. They are scheduled to have breakfast with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the Merdeka Palace. Then the latter will see off the entourage for the parade.

Read: Jokowi Will Not Join MotoGP Jakarta Parade: Govt Official

DICKY KURNIAWAN