Business as usual for the capital<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Business will go on as usual in the capital on
\nMonday despite rumors of a huge rally opposing President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, except for schools which, on Friday, were
\ngranted permission to close.<\/p>\n
While some people said they had confidence in the government's
\nability to address any security disturbance, head of Jakarta's
\neducation ministry office Alwi Nurdin announced on Friday that
\nschools across the capital were \"free to choose, according to
\ntheir wisdom, to halt school activities\" on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"I have issued a letter, notifying all schools in the capital
\nthat they can decide, with consideration given to the security
\ncondition for each of them, whether students should attend
\nclasses on Jan. 15,\" Alwi said.<\/p>\n
He suggested, however, that schools located far from the city
\ncenter, such as those on Jakarta's outskirts, proceed with
\nclasses.<\/p>\n
Priority to suspend classes is given to schools situated close
\nto sites prone to clashes, such as the area around the House of
\nRepresentative compound in Central Jakarta, Alwi said.<\/p>\n
\"I also urge school principals and teachers to coordinate with
\nlocal police and civilian security guards on contingency measures
\nin case of conflicts,\" said Alwi.<\/p>\n
He added that teachers should remind their students not to
\ninvolve themselves in any mass mobilization efforts, because of
\nthe trend of student brawls which, often triggered by
\ninsignificant matters.<\/p>\n
\"Let's not make fun of such situations,\" Alwi added.<\/p>\n
According to official data, there are a total of 5,331 schools
\nin the city, comprising 166 state high schools, 367 private high
\nschools, 480 state vocational high schools, 283 state junior high
\nschools, 780 private junior high schools, 2,475 state elementary
\nschools and 780 private elementary schools.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso spoke out to allay fears of possible chaos,
\nwhich has added to anxiety in the capital following a series of
\nbomb attacks and other violent incidents throughout 2000.<\/p>\n
Some Jakartans, the governor said, have yet to heal
\npsychological wounds from the massive riots and destruction in
\nMay 1998.<\/p>\n
\"I urge all Jakartans to remain calm and avoid being provoked.
\nIf you want to convey your aspirations, you may come to the City
\nCouncil, instead of joining a mass mobilization,\" he said after
\nFriday prayers.<\/p>\n
The city authorities, however, have been preparing for the
\nworst scenario, he said.<\/p>\n
\"All daily activities in the capital should proceed as usual,
\nbecause we have placed more security personnel across the
\ncapital, including in business centers and schools,\" he asserted.<\/p>\n
He also suggested that people intensify nightwatch patrol in
\ntheir respective neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Some traders in bustling Glodok and Mangga Dua business
\ncenters said they had no reason to close their shops on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"I will open the store as usual, because otherwise I won't
\nearn any money,\" Sofandi, who runs an electronic store at Glodok,
\ntold The Jakarta Post on Friday.<\/p>\n
The Glodok electronics commercial district in Central Jakarta
\nand Mangga Dua trade center in West Jakarta saw no traces of
\ntension on Friday, with people seen packing most shops. The two
\nareas sustained the most damage during the May 1998 rampage.<\/p>\n
Sofandi said he make approximately Rp 1 million in profit
\nduring a busy day.<\/p>\n
\"So, you can see how much it means to me if I have to close
\nthe store, even if just for a day,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another vendor at Glodok, who requested anonymity, said he was
\nremaining cautious in response to the rumored riots on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"I have already heard about that, but I will just wait and
\nsee. I will shut my shop if it is necessary,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Koko, another electronics shopkeeper, said he had taken some
\nof his stock home as a precaution for any unexpected repeat of
\nthe 1998 tragedy, which also cost him losses.<\/p>\n
\"I took some of the television sets, radios, CD\/VCD players to
\nmy home. Just in case something bad happens,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rita, a shopkeeper in Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, admitted she felt
\nuncomfortable living in the capital lately.<\/p>\n
\"Even more so after the latest bomb blasts on Christmas eve.
\nNow I always worry every time I have to go out,\" she said.
\n(04\/07)<\/p>",
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