Polda Metro apologizes after police block journalist at Bundaran HI

Polda Metro Jaya apologized after its officers blocked a journalist who was trying to cover a demonstration at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 28 October. Polda Metro Jaya public relations chief Budi Hermanto said the incident would be used as an evaluation for personnel assigned to secure the protest. He said the episode was linked to a communication problem during the security operation. Video of the confrontation circulated on social media. In the footage, the journalist had already explained that he was heading to Bundaran HI on assignment, but was still told not to approach the area. Polda Metro Jaya also said it would remind all service units so a similar incident does not happen again.