Business as usual for the capital

Business as usual for the capital

JAKARTA (JP): Business will go on as usual in the capital on
Monday despite rumors of a huge rally opposing President
Abdurrahman Wahid, except for schools which, on Friday, were
granted permission to close.

While some people said they had confidence in the government's
ability to address any security disturbance, head of Jakarta's
education ministry office Alwi Nurdin announced on Friday that
schools across the capital were "free to choose, according to
their wisdom, to halt school activities" on Monday.

"I have issued a letter, notifying all schools in the capital
that they can decide, with consideration given to the security
condition for each of them, whether students should attend
classes on Jan. 15," Alwi said.

He suggested, however, that schools located far from the city
center, such as those on Jakarta's outskirts, proceed with
classes.

Priority to suspend classes is given to schools situated close
to sites prone to clashes, such as the area around the House of
Representative compound in Central Jakarta, Alwi said.

"I also urge school principals and teachers to coordinate with
local police and civilian security guards on contingency measures
in case of conflicts," said Alwi.

He added that teachers should remind their students not to
involve themselves in any mass mobilization efforts, because of
the trend of student brawls which, often triggered by
insignificant matters.

"Let's not make fun of such situations," Alwi added.

According to official data, there are a total of 5,331 schools
in the city, comprising 166 state high schools, 367 private high
schools, 480 state vocational high schools, 283 state junior high
schools, 780 private junior high schools, 2,475 state elementary
schools and 780 private elementary schools.

Governor Sutiyoso spoke out to allay fears of possible chaos,
which has added to anxiety in the capital following a series of
bomb attacks and other violent incidents throughout 2000.

Some Jakartans, the governor said, have yet to heal
psychological wounds from the massive riots and destruction in
May 1998.

"I urge all Jakartans to remain calm and avoid being provoked.
If you want to convey your aspirations, you may come to the City
Council, instead of joining a mass mobilization," he said after
Friday prayers.

The city authorities, however, have been preparing for the
worst scenario, he said.

"All daily activities in the capital should proceed as usual,
because we have placed more security personnel across the
capital, including in business centers and schools," he asserted.

He also suggested that people intensify nightwatch patrol in
their respective neighborhoods.

Some traders in bustling Glodok and Mangga Dua business
centers said they had no reason to close their shops on Monday.

"I will open the store as usual, because otherwise I won't
earn any money," Sofandi, who runs an electronic store at Glodok,
told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The Glodok electronics commercial district in Central Jakarta
and Mangga Dua trade center in West Jakarta saw no traces of
tension on Friday, with people seen packing most shops. The two
areas sustained the most damage during the May 1998 rampage.

Sofandi said he make approximately Rp 1 million in profit
during a busy day.

"So, you can see how much it means to me if I have to close
the store, even if just for a day," he said.

Another vendor at Glodok, who requested anonymity, said he was
remaining cautious in response to the rumored riots on Monday.

"I have already heard about that, but I will just wait and
see. I will shut my shop if it is necessary," he said.

Koko, another electronics shopkeeper, said he had taken some
of his stock home as a precaution for any unexpected repeat of
the 1998 tragedy, which also cost him losses.

"I took some of the television sets, radios, CD/VCD players to
my home. Just in case something bad happens," he said.

Rita, a shopkeeper in Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, admitted she felt
uncomfortable living in the capital lately.

"Even more so after the latest bomb blasts on Christmas eve.
Now I always worry every time I have to go out," she said.
(04/07)