1,200 officers to secure Ancol in New Yea's Eve

JAKARTA (JP): Almost 1,200 officers will be deployed to New Year's Eve festivities at Ancol Dreamland, North Jakarta, as nearly 20,000 people are expected to see in the New Year at the recreational site.

Maj. I Gusti P, chief of operational control at the North Jakarta Police Precinct, said 1,195 police and military officers would patrol Ancol, including amusement centers.

Daryanto Mangoenpratolo, director of Dreamland manager PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, said the number of people who celebrated New Year's Eve at the park increased yearly.

"Last year 17,222 visitors entered Ancol Dreamland to celebrate New Year, while in 1995 we recorded 15,643 visitors," Daryanto said.

Daryanto said spectacular fireworks would mark the coming of new year at midnight. "That will be the main attraction on that night".

Local bands and singers like AB Three, Base Jam, Kahitna, Java Jive, Elvi Sukaesih, Protonema Band, Plastik Band and Netral Band, will rock visitors from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

Traditional performances like lenong (folk theater) and wayang kulit (shadow puppets) will also be highlights.

"Visitors can enjoy the shows and for free," Daryanto said. Visitors will pay just Rp 3,000 each, while the parking fee is Rp 3,000 per car.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja will join the festivities and address the audience. City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, and city councilors will accompany the governor.

The governor will blow a paper trumpet on stage at Ancol's Art Market after delivering his speech welcoming the New Year.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta and the National Monument (Monas) square in Central Jakarta will also be New Year's Eve attractions.

Taman Mini, in cooperation with private television station TPI will have a dangdut music show called Bahana Dangdut '96, which will feature the king of dangdut, Rhoma Irama, and his Soneta Group, Jaja Miharja, Camelia Malik, and other artists.

In the Yogyakarta pavilion there will be a shadow puppet show by puppeteer Ki Timbul Hadiprayitno while the Central Java pavilion will have one by Ki Anom Hartono.

There will also be fireworks, open air theater, jaipong (traditional Sundanese dance) and a wooden puppet show.

New Year's Eve events at Taman Mini will run from 8 p.m. until dawn.

Despite no special performances at Monas, the 115-meter monument will be an attraction for people who will take turns climbing to the top of the gold-tipped tower to see Jakarta at night.

The city will deploy 11,306 officers to secure New Year's Eve celebrations. (ste)