Christmas in Jakarta passes off peacefully
Damar Harsanto and Leo Wahyudi S., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Under tight security, thousands of congregations across Jakarta celebrated Christmas on Tuesday and Wednesday with solemn church ceremonies.
There were no significant disruptions reported despite concerns over possible terrorist attacks targeting Christmas worshipers.
Thousands of churchgoers attended Christmas Eve masses in the cathedral in Central Jakarta despite the fear of bomb attacks.
About 9,000 people attended the three masses held in the cathedral. The last one ended at midnight.
The faithful had to queue at the two main entrances before being scanned by metal detectors at the gates.
Police worked hand-in-hand with a number of civilian groups affiliated to religious, social and political organizations in guarding the outer part of the cathedral and directing traffic.
The cathedral's security staff and plainclothes police officers were seen standing guard inside the church grounds. No incidents were reported during the celebrations.
One of the security staff, Josef, estimated that the cathedral was much safer compared to previous years. Security had been tightened following the 2000 Christmas Eve bombings.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara briefly visited the cathedral during the last mass of the evening at 10 p.m. and was welcomed by the chairman of the Indonesian Council of Bishops (KWI), Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja.
Cardinal Darmaatmadja said that he was grateful to the Jakarta Police for taking all necessary measures to guard the cathedral.
"We do not have to worry too much as the situation is getting better," the cardinal said before the mass while urging members of the congregation to remain alert.
Meanwhile, at St. Yoseph Matraman church in East Jakarta and St. Antonius Bidara Cina church on Jl. Otista, East Jakarta, police and military personnel helped security guards and Christmas committee members conduct security checks and search bags belonging to members of the congregation.
During mass at both churches, security officers were seen patrolling around the perimeters of the buildings.
No vehicles were allowed to park in the vicinity of the churches.
However, not all members of the faithful felt secure.
"I decided not to attend Christmas Eve mass as I was afraid something bad could happen in the dark. Besides, I was also concerned about security in the parking lots," said Irwana, a churchgoer.
Owing to her concerns, she opted to attend Wednesday morning mass instead of Christmas Eve mass.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, many Christians visited cemeteries across the capital to pay their respects at the graves of their deceased relatives. Hundreds of vehicles were parked outside cemeteries such as the Karet Bivak cemetery in Central Jakarta, Menteng Pulo cemetery in South Jakarta, and Petamburan cemetery in Central Jakarta, causing some slight traffic congestion.
"I come here (cemetery) to ask for her blessings and to pray for her soul," said Mathilda, a resident of Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, who was visiting the Petamburan Chinese cemetery in Central Jakarta.
Syarii, a cemetery attendant, revealed that many people also came to the cemetery to attend to their family plots.
"They want to ensure that the graves of their loved ones are clean and properly maintained," Syarii said, adding that some generous families often gave him money to maintain their graves.