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)