Jakartans to embrace traffic detours during AAC meeting

Traffic will be detoured in Indonesian capital to facilitate the series of meetings of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Asian-African Conference (AAC), which kicked off on Monday with a ministerial meeting, police said. "If it is necessary, traffic will be detoured from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. and in the evening as well on Wednesday and Thursday, but we will check traffic conditions first,"said Warsinem, head of Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate education and engineering unit.

According to Warsinem, most of the traffic will be detoured along the roads to be passed by conference participants. Areas that could be affected include Pancoran and Blok M in South Jakarta, Dukuh Atas in Central Jakarta, Harmoni to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and Senayan. "Even though the traffic detours will be situational, they will most likely be scheduled. Jakartans must be ready to adjust to conditions," Warsinem said, adding that it would be better if Jakartans could work remotely from home.

Ministers from Asian and African nations held a meeting on Monday in preparation for the Asian-African Summit 2015, which runs from April 22 through 23. On April 21, the Asian-African Business Summit will be held as part of the events.

By far, at least 34 heads of state or government, six deputies and representatives of 79 countries have confirmed their attendance at the conference.

Some local residents said they had prepared for the traffic detours, while others said they would readjust their work schedules to avoid traffic controls during the events. Endi