Idul Fitri mood prevails in the city<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Idul Fitri mood lingered in the city
\nyesterday with most government offices, roads, businesses and
\nshopping centers remaining largely empty.<\/p>\n
Those who went to work only went to exchange Idul Fitri
\ngreetings with colleagues, and none stayed long at the office.<\/p>\n
Some people complained of difficulties getting public
\ntransport. But once on board, journeys that usually took 45
\nminutes in heavy traffic, for instance from Palmerah to City Hall
\non Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, took as little as 15 minutes.<\/p>\n
Buses were scarce but some taxis were operating, mostly on
\nmain streets.<\/p>\n
A number of private offices, such as banks, were still closed,
\nwhile some government offices closed at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.<\/p>\n
The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology
\n(BPPT) extended its holidays until Feb. 17.<\/p>\n
"The holidays are official," said Wid, the agency's senior
\nsecurity officer.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Religious Affairs office and Bank Indonesia,
\nboth on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, closed at 12 p.m.<\/p>\n
"Work hours will be back to normal tomorrow," the bank's
\nsecurity officer said.<\/p>\n
The roads were expected to continue congestion free until next
\nMonday, Uthara, a traffic officer at a junction of Jl. Kebon
\nSirih and Jl. M.H. Thamrin said. He said it was like Idul Fitri
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
City Hall<\/p>\n
Despite the relaxed mood, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja arrived
\nat work before 6:30 a.m. as usual.<\/p>\n
City officials waited in line from 8 a.m. to greet the
\nGovernor. The event was over at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n
By 12:30 p.m., most offices were vacant as officials left
\nafter exchanging greetings with colleagues. In one of the
\nbuildings, Blok F, most offices were locked.<\/p>\n
Employees who were still around by 1 p.m. included the office
\nstaff of the Governor and Deputy Governors.<\/p>\n
Deputy Governor on administrative affairs Idroes acknowledged
\nthat some officials had left soon after exchanging greetings. "I
\nexpect all of them will back to work tomorrow (Wednesday),"
\nIdroes said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, he said, nobody asked for public services
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
"Maybe people are still visiting families," Idroes said.<\/p>\n
Head of the city's inspectorate office, Djoko Brotosurjono,
\nadmitted several offices at City Hall were unattended at 1 p.m
\nwhen he paid a surprise inspection visit.<\/p>\n
"It's not only happening here, but all over the country,"
\nDjoko said. He said all his officials showed up yesterday except
\nthose on leave or on assignment.<\/p>\n
He said so far his office had not received reports on
\nunexplained absences.<\/p>\n
The city's spokesman, Soesilo Darmoadji, said for Moslems Idul
\nFitri was the ideal time to visit relatives and neighbors.<\/p>\n
"It is not unusual to see government offices vacant during
\nLebaran holidays," Soesilo said.<\/p>\n
According to city personnel supervision data, the maximum
\npenalty for an unexplained absence is a harsh warning from a unit
\nchief.<\/p>\n
The City Hall employs more than 5,000 officials. (ste\/11)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/idul-fitri-mood-prevails-in-the-city-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }