City activities undeterred by massive rallies
JAKARTA (JP): Life went on as usual in the capital on Monday despite massive demonstrations staged by groups in support of and against President Abdurrahman Wahid.
There were no traces of tension as people turned up for their social and business activities.
People were seen packing the city's electronic shopping center in Glodok downtown, West Jakarta, which was destroyed during the riot in May 1998.
Most shops were open as their owners said they believed the rally would take place peacefully at the House of Representatives and pose no threat to the business center unlike in the past.
"I'm sure that there won't be riots," a VCD trader told The Jakarta Post.
Most of shop owners admitted knowledge of the rally from the media, which repeatedly reported that demonstrators might amass at the House.
Hundreds of street traders along streets in front of the markets were also seen displaying their merchandise as usual.
Business was as usual in the Kenari house tools and equipment market on Jl. Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, just a few hundred meters off the University of Indonesia campus, where hundreds of students gathered on Monday morning before marching to the House.
The Senen market, also in central Jakarta, was equally as busy on Monday. Customers were seen crowding the market which is known for its special merchandise of textile, electronic and automotive spare parts.
Schools in the city, ranging from kindergartens to senior high schools, resumed their activities unperturbed by the reports of mass rallies on Monday.
On Jan. 15, schools were closed except for a small number of privately run educational institutes following rumors of fighting between supporters in the capital. Security authorities were deployed against a threat that never took place on Monday.
Offices along Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Rasuna Said, stayed open although some of them only used one gate for visitors.
Traffic congestion, as usual, occurred on two main streets Jl. Gajah Mada and Jl. Hayam Wuruk near the Glodok shopping center.
But "unusual" heavy traffic jams occurred on streets as thousands of demonstrators moved to the House. Demonstrators, who took up most of the street en route to the House, prevented motorists from passing by.
Thousands of bus passengers were seen stranded in the afternoon, such as in Slipi area, west Jakarta and Cawang, in East Jakarta as buses plying the routes were halted by the rallies.
Some motorists, especially motorcyclists, parked their vehicles alongside Jl. Gatot Subroto and other routes leading to the House to watch the rally. (jun)