54,000 to attend independence bash at Monas

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)