New Year's eve smoother than usual this year<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite three recreational parks recording more
\nvisitors, New Year's eve celebrations ran smoother than usual
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
Heavy rain throughout the city between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. may
\nhave caused many families to stay away from Ancol, Taman Mini and
\nMonas square New Year's celebrations.<\/p>\n
In previous years, traffic was horrendous on New Year's eve as
\nrevelers packed the three parks.<\/p>\n
The number of trucks loaded with trumpet-blasting youngsters
\nscreeching around Monas was down from other years.<\/p>\n
Going up the 115-meter monument was the main attraction for
\n25,000 people who took turns at the top of the gold-tipped
\nmonument to witness Jakarta at night.<\/p>\n
Taman Mini in East Jakarta was relatively empty at 10 p.m. and
\ntraffic around the area was smooth. The park featured the king of
\ndangdut (Indian-influenced music), Rhoma Irama.<\/p>\n
The Taman Mini public relation office claimed that 110,000
\npeople visited Taman Mini on Sunday, 20,000 more than last year.
\nWith 90,000 visitors last year, Taman Mini was dreadfully crowded
\nand traffic heavily congested.<\/p>\n
"Many visitors did not use private cars," Yanti, a staff
\nmember of the park Public Relations office, offered as an
\nexplanation yesterday.<\/p>\n
At Ancol dreamland in North Jakarta, where traffic chaos has
\nbeen part of every New Year's eve celebration, things were quiet
\non Sunday.<\/p>\n
The park's management also claimed the number of visitors was
\nhigher than last year. By 12 p.m. a total of 195,000 tickets were
\nsold, 55,000 more than last year.<\/p>\n
"There is no traffic congestion because the elevated toll road
\nhas functioned and visitors from the southern part of Jakarta can
\ngo straight to Ancol without passing through Jl. Gunung Sahari or
\nJl. RE Martadinata," Aruan, a director of PT Pembangunan Jaya
\nAncol, said.<\/p>\n
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, City Military Commander Maj. Gen.
\nWiranto, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo and Deputy
\nChairman of the City Council H.M. Djufrie made their annual year-
\nend journey to Taman Mini and Ancol.<\/p>\n
Female dangdut singer Nur Halimah welcomed the officials at
\nthe Taman Mini stage.<\/p>\n
The governor warned Jakartans not to disrupt national unity.<\/p>\n
The governor also thanked Jakartans for helping develop the
\ncity and he reminded Jakartans to always take care of their
\nsafety and secure their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Then, as usual, Surjadi's and the other officials' wives sang
\nthe traditional Maluku song, Ayo Mama.<\/p>\n
The governor's entourage then proceeded to Ancol. Surjadi
\nSoedirdja marked the end of 1995 by blowing a paper trumpet on
\nstage at Ancol's Art Market.<\/p>\n
Some 11,500 police officers were deployed to secure the
\ncelebrations. There were only 26 crimes recorded during the
\nnight.<\/p>\n
City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo told a media
\nconference held at 5:00 a.m. yesterday morning that the only
\nserious incident was a fire at a shoe factory in Bekasi on Sunday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
Several machines and hundreds of shoes ready for export were
\ndestroyed at the factory owned by PT Emperor Footwear Indonesia,
\nan Indonesia-South Korea joint venture.<\/p>\n
"We're still investigating the cause and the amount of loss,"
\nDibyo said.<\/p>\n
Another fire destroyed a furniture shop complex and 15 small
\nhouses in Mampang, South Jakarta. There were no fatalities in the
\nfire, which started at 2:30 a.m. yesterday, but the supervising
\npolice sergeant was hit by a fire engine. He is now in hospital
\nwith serious injuries.<\/p>\n
Festivities petered out between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. when
\nthousands of revelers headed for home. (yns\/bsr\/29)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-years-eve-smoother-than-usual-this-year-1447893297",
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