54,000 to attend independence bash at Monas

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is planning a big party at the National Monument (Monas) square on Aug. 19 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Indonesia's 50th birthday will fall two days earlier, on Aug. 17.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee Abdul Kahfi said yesterday that the party would be attended by about 53,000 Jakartans and 1,000 VIP guests.

"The party is aimed at sharing the happiness with fellow Indonesians, irrespective of their social standing, race and religion. The red-and-white flags will dominate the square," Kahfi told reporters after a preparatory meeting.

Kahfi said that the city administration required each of the city's 265 subdistricts to send about 100 men and women to the party. The women will be required to wear a red traditional costume known as kebaya encim, while the men will wear a traditional white shirt known as sadariah.

Kahfi said that the administration would make available Rp 975 million (US$425,000) for the organization of the fiesta. In addition, the government of France is providing fireworks for the party.

The city administration is working with other offices, including the city police, to ensure security in the area and to reroute traffic around the monument.

"The roads inside the monument square will be closed while the police will reroute the ones on the perimeter of the monument, such as Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan and Barat," Kafhi said, adding that about 3,420 security officers from the city public order office would be present at the party.

To avoid traffic congestion, the organizing committee will require guests to park their vehicles on Jl. Thamrin, Jl. Suryopranoto, Jl. Lapangan Banteng, Jl. Merdeka, Jl. Abdul Muis, Jl. Juanda and Jl. Majapahit.

Head of the City Police Command Center Col. Muhantojo said that the city police had not yet determined the number of personnel they would deploy at the party.

"The police will deploy enough personnel and we will ask for assistance from the Jakarta agency for the national security and stability," Muhantojo said.

Kahfi said the party, which will start at 3 p.m and to last until 1 a.m., would be divided into four main events: a national dinner, a national cultural parade, a fireworks show and other entertainment.

The dinner ceremony will start at 5 p.m. with a nasi tumpeng (traditional steamed rice cones) parade. People will sit on plastic mats around the monument to enjoy traditional dishes.

"Each subdistrict should also bring 20 trays of traditional food, while the city administration will supply a meal for them," Kahfi said, adding the meal would be donated by various restaurants in the city.

At 6.30 p.m. the national culture parade will begin, featuring 27 decorated vehicles which will represent each province in Indonesia.

"The parade will be begin with marching bands from the city, such those from Al-azhar and Tarakanita high schools, and it will move around the square," Kahfi said.

The third event, at 9 p.m., will be a 30-minute show of fireworks, commencing with four helicopters that will release fireworks in four directions. (yns)