Thousands of Martial Artists to Protest at Debt Collector HQ in Surabaya, Traffic Diversions Expected

Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, is bracing for a large-scale demonstration scheduled for Friday, July 31st. Thousands of members from the martial arts organization PSHT (Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate) are expected to march towards the headquarters of a debt collection company and the Surabaya City Police Headquarters (Polrestabes Surabaya). Authorities are preparing to implement traffic diversions and enhanced security measures along the planned protest route. The demonstrators are set to gather after Friday prayers and proceed through several major city streets, potentially causing significant traffic congestion. AKBP Galih Bayu Raditya, Head of the Surabaya Police Traffic Unit, stated that personnel will be deployed at key intersections to manage traffic flow and implement detours. Specific diversions include rerouting traffic from Jalan Raya Darmo to Jalan Basuki Rahmat via Jalan Pandegiling West, and from Jalan Pangsud to Jalan Basra via Jalan Urip Sumoharjo. He urged the public to cooperate with traffic regulations and follow the instructions of officers on the ground. In anticipation of the disruptions, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) Daerah Operasi 8 Surabaya (KAI Daop 8 Surabaya), the national railway operator, has advised train passengers to allow extra travel time to reach stations. The company recommends passengers arriving at Surabaya Gubeng and Surabaya Pasarturi stations to be present at least 30 to 60 minutes before their scheduled departure to facilitate check-in and boarding processes. KAI also encourages passengers to monitor official information channels for traffic updates and to plan alternative routes if necessary. Information Source: CNN Indonesia