Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has urged shopping malls and office buildings to remove newly installed security fences, saying the capital remains safe and there is no need for heightened public concern.

Pramono said he understood that some property managers may have installed additional barriers because of concerns over security, but he expected the fences to be dismantled once the situation remains stable.

“I will ask that the fences be removed again when the time comes,” Pramono said, according to Antara, on Friday.

He said the new fencing reminded him of the protests and unrest that swept Jakarta in August 2025. However, he stressed that the Jakarta administration was continuing to coordinate with the military, police and other law enforcement agencies to maintain security and public order.

“Hopefully Jakarta will always be safe and comfortable, allowing everyone to enjoy the city, as we are all enjoying Blok M today,” he said.

The comments came after images of newly installed fences at several shopping malls in Jakarta and Surabaya circulated widely on social media, prompting speculation that businesses were preparing for possible unrest.

The Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), however, said the fencing was primarily intended to maintain security and order and did not indicate an imminent threat.

APPBI Chairman Alphonzus Widjaja said fences were not unusual at shopping centers, with many malls having barriers since they were first built. The fences serve as a clear boundary between mall premises and public areas, including locations that can sometimes be used for demonstrations.

One newly installed fence has been seen outside Kota Kasablanka mall in South Jakarta. The gray barrier is about 100 meters long and 2.5 meters high and stands near the main vehicle entrance from Jalan Raya Casablanca.

Presidential special adviser for communications Hasan Nasbi separately urged the public and media not to amplify unverified reports about the country’s security situation.

Hasan said the government had noted concerns circulating online about tighter security measures at malls,but called on journalists to verify such claims directly rather than spreading what he described as fear-mongering.

“We should not amplify bad news or reports that spread fear. They should also be clarified,” Hasan told reporters.

Hasan maintained that Indonesia’s overall situation remained conducive and said the government was moving quickly to implement its strategic programs. He pointed to a recent meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and more than 100 leaders of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) as an example of constructive engagement between the government and business community.

The remarks come nearly a year after Indonesia experienced a wave of protests and riots in August and September 2025. Demonstrations were fueled by public anger over lawmakers’ allowances, economic pressures and the death of ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan after he was struck by a police armored vehicle in Jakarta last August.

The unrest spread to several cities, with clashes between protesters and security forces, damage to public facilities, and mass arrests.

Officials have since sought to reassure the public that security conditions are under control while warning against the spread of unverified information that could fuel unnecessary anxiety.