City ponders its New Year's plans<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Considering the upcoming New Year's Eve as the
\nmost meaningful transition to the new millennium, the city
\nadministration will not set strict rules on entertainment centers
\non that night.<\/p>\n
"We'll let them organize events which will be in the form of
\nan expression of gratitude to God," head of the city's Tourism
\nAgency, Witjaksono Moewardi, said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
As with last year, the fast approaching New Year's Eve will
\nfall during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
The agency threatens to close down amusement centers staging
\nevents which are not in line with the country's culture.<\/p>\n
"We'll close down any entertainment centers offering events,
\nwhich exploit sex," he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"The operators must respect the Muslims who are fasting," he
\nsaid, adding that the activities could only last until 2 a.m. on
\nJan. 1.<\/p>\n
Witjaksono said the agency had yet to plan events at several
\nof the city's main spots, such as Senayan's Eastern Parking Lot
\nand the National Monument (Monas) area, both in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"We are waiting for the governor's instructions," he said.<\/p>\n
Every year, thousands of Jakartans gather at the Monas square
\nto celebrate New Year's Eve.<\/p>\n
Operators of hotels, discotheques and recreational parks said
\nhere on Tuesday they would not organize events as lively as
\nprevious years to respect the Muslims who are fasting.<\/p>\n
The management of Hotel Horison, located on Jl. Pantai Indah
\nin North Jakarta, will stage events in Hawaiian style.<\/p>\n
"The hotel is located on the city's northern coast. However,
\nwe will not forget the country's culture," the hotel's public
\nrelations manager, Nur'aini Prapdanu, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Prapdanu said the hotel's management would cut a nasi tumpeng
\n(rice cone) and strike a traditional Javanese gong, precisely at
\nmidnight.<\/p>\n
She said the hotel would have a Hawaiian Band, a hula-hula
\ndance and other live music before midnight.<\/p>\n
The Hotel Sheraton Bandara, which is located in the Soekarno-
\nHatta International Airport complex, will present singer Wanda
\nStroller in the hotel's lounge.<\/p>\n
"We'll also have dinner for guests who stay for the final
\ncountdown at midnight," Esther Pormes, public relations officer
\nof the hotel, said.<\/p>\n
Not only hotels, but discotheques also pledged to obey the
\ngovernment instruction to limit their operational hours to 2 a.m.<\/p>\n
"We will present the popular singer Nicky Astria, a band and a
\ntraditional dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m," said Ati, a marketing
\nofficer of the Hailai Discotheque in Ancol, North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Guests could then go down to the dance floor and enjoy disco
\nmusic until 2 a.m., said Ati.<\/p>\n
The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park in East Jakarta will
\npresent the famous dangdut music star Rhoma Irama on New Year's
\nEve.<\/p>\n
"He will be assisted by his Soneta group band," said Waluyo, a
\npark employee, adding that other less well-known dangdut singers
\nwould accompany Rhoma.<\/p>\n
The Taman Impian Jaya Ancol recreational park in North Jakarta
\nhas yet to mention its events for New Year's Eve.<\/p>\n
"We are currently planning the evening. We may hold events
\nwhich have Islamic nuances, since it will still be Ramadhan,"
\nGatot R.S, the park's spokesman, said. (asa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/city-ponders-its-new-years-plans-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}