Ailing Pondok Gede roads give pilgrims headaches

JAKARTA (JP): Jl. Jatiwaringin and Jl. Raya Pondok Gede which lead to the Pondok Gede Pilgrim Hostel (Asrama Haji) in East Jakarta, are so badly damaged that pilgrims find the first leg of their journey a challenge in itself.

And as if the ruts and holes are not enough of a headache, hawkers take up precious space along the routes, which are crowded with vehicles carrying large numbers of prospective pilgrims too and from the hostel.

Syamsudin, an official in charge of the departure and arrival of pilgrims through the hostel, said late last week at least 1,300 vehicles carrying pilgrims and their escorts were entering the hostel's parking lot every day. On Fridays, Syamsudin said, the number could reach 2,000.

"This influx of vehicles, coupled with the bad road conditions and street vendors occupying the streets, often causes traffic congestion lasting for hours here," Syamsudin was quoted as saying by the Antara news agency over the weekend.

In particular, Syamsudin said, the congestion is caused by an extremely large number of people and cars escorting the pilgrims.

"It is common that to accompany one pilgrim, two trucks are hired to carry friends and relatives," Syamsudin said.

Agus Romli, a visitor to the hostel, said he had hired a truck so that his entire family and all his relatives could see off his parents on their pilgrimage to Mecca.

"Father and mother are old and frail. We are afraid we might not ever see them again," Agus said.

Visitors to the hostel come not only from Bogor, Cirebon and Bandung, the three major cities of West Java, which are relatively close to Jakarta, but also from as far away as Pati and Jepara in Central Java.

The stream of visitors to the hostel is a blessing for street vendors, although they have to play hide and seek with East Jakarta and Bekasi's municipal guards.

"Actually we are not allowed to trade on the carriageway. If caught, we usually give the municipal guards "cigarette money" amounting from Rp 5,000 to Rp 10,000 and they will release us," Hamid, a street vendor who usually sells around the hostel, said.

Hamid said during the high season of the pilgrimage, he could double his earnings to Rp 6,000 a day.

The high season this year began on April 15 when the first group of pilgrims departed from the hostel, and will end on April 30 when the last group of pilgrims is expected to return.

When asked whether or not municipal guards extorted money from them frequently, the traders remained silent. "If I tell you, I am afraid I will no longer be allowed to trade here," said Nanang, another street vendor.

On Friday, 18 visitors and pilgrims reported that they had lost valuables.

Shaela bin Mamat, a visitor, said she lost her purse which contained Rp 440,000 in cash. Another visitor, a Mrs. Sukamto, said she also lost her purse in which she kept Rp 110,000.

An official of the hostel in charge of maintaining order and security, said that many other escorts had lost their belongings but were reluctant to file reports.

"It is difficult to distinguish true visitors who come here to accompany their pilgrim relatives or friends from pickpockets," he said.

Data at the Ministry of Religious Affairs show that the number of Indonesians making the pilgrimage to Mecca this year is estimated at 157,491, of which 90,000 come from Jakarta. (06)