Anniversary joy peaks at Senayan

By Johannes Simbolon and Yoko N. Sari

JAKARTA (JP): They came from all over town. Most did not know each other, could even be foes, either in real life, or in their political convictions. But last night they became one, bound by a single objective: To participate in the Golden Indonesian People's Party at the east parking lot of Senayan, South Jakarta.

A crowd of around 200,000 created a breathtaking sight last night. Everybody was wearing the red and white scarves and ties distributed by the government. Pride was apparent in their faces. The pride of wearing the colors that symbolize the country's flag.

The show, opened by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, began with a spectacular display of colorful lasers from Visual Effect and Monumental Imagery Production ECA2 of France. The company is well known for the displays it has put on at the Grand Opening of Euro Disney, the Olympic Games and the Eiffel Tower Centenary. Besides the spectacular effects, a dancing laser show, impressive sky beams and top class fireworks were also presented. A special stage measuring 80 meters long, 40 meters wide and 27 meters high was built for the laser, sky beams and firework show entitled Fanfare Rayuan Pulau Kelapa.

The laser and projection displays were followed by a dance entitled Semarak Merah Putih presented by 50 dancers whose only accompaniment was the sound of the beating of drums.

An unexpected surprise came after the dance, when the voice of Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, was heard through giant loudspeakers, reading the proclamation of independence text.

Everyone fell suddenly silent, paying their utmost attention to the charismatic voice of the late proclaimer of independence.

Then it was party time again, with a around 100 performers, singers and musicians and 600 dancers taking turns to delight the crowd on the 20 meter wide and 40 meter long stage lighted by lights with the combined power of 160,000 watts. Three giant balloons and four equally giant cones decorated the back stage, from where the laser beams and fireworks were shot at intervals during the whole event. Pictures were projected onto the balloons and cones to accompany the songs presented by the artists on the front stage.

All the singers, accompanied by Purwacaraka orchestra, presented their top hit songs. Rapper Iwa K presented his Lihatlah Ke Jalan, Topeng and Debat; Ebiet G. Ade sang his Berita Kepada Kawan; Ita Purnamasari sang her Cintaku Padamu and Yuni Shara presented Mengapa Tiada Maaf.

King of dangdut Rhoma Irama, created a spectacular sight when he came onto the stage on a white horse. Clad in white with a long red shawl, he reminded the audience of his role in the movie Satria Bergitar. Rhoma sang 185 Juta, the same hit which he used to open the dangdut show in the former Ancol circuit last week.

Other singers, including rockers Nicky Astria and Achmad Albar, as well as Gito Rollies, Doel Sumbang and the group Gong 2000, all received warm applause from the audience. Many of the men in the audience took off their shirts, raised their hands and sang along with their favorite singers. They also threw empty plastic bottles into the air, but apart from that, the event was not marred by any incident.

And, true to its name, last night's Golden Indonesian People's Party was a party for all. Everybody, including food vendors, chess game organizers and others with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Around 30 chess game organizers operated around the show arena, offering their games for use for Rp1,000.

"Playing chess while listening to the music is fun," explained Sirait, one of the organizers.

He added that there was no lack of buyers last night.

Basuki, a university student from Klender, East Jakarta, had another idea. He collected the free red and white scarves and ties distributed by the show organizer at the entrance with the intention of selling them at Rp 500 each.

"Not a bad idea. At least I can buy some mosquito repellent," he explained.

Basuki, a fan of Yuni Shara, said the show was a great idea, but, "Will the gap between the rich and the poor be settled with this party?"

Sartono, a contractor who came with his wife and small children on a motorbike, had no time to ponder such questions. He simply came to see his favorite singer, Yuni Shara.

The show, which was aired live by the private-sector television station SCTV, was also covered by Channel (V) of Hong Kong, which plans to broadcast it to 53 countries on Aug. 17.

The show was closed by Gebyar Gebyar, a song of the popular composer Gombloh, presented by all the artists and dancers and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.