City ponders its New Year's plans

City ponders its New Year's plans

JAKARTA (JP): Considering the upcoming New Year's Eve as the
most meaningful transition to the new millennium, the city
administration will not set strict rules on entertainment centers
on that night.

"We'll let them organize events which will be in the form of
an expression of gratitude to God," head of the city's Tourism
Agency, Witjaksono Moewardi, said on Tuesday.

As with last year, the fast approaching New Year's Eve will
fall during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.

The agency threatens to close down amusement centers staging
events which are not in line with the country's culture.

"We'll close down any entertainment centers offering events,
which exploit sex," he told The Jakarta Post.

"The operators must respect the Muslims who are fasting," he
said, adding that the activities could only last until 2 a.m. on
Jan. 1.

Witjaksono said the agency had yet to plan events at several
of the city's main spots, such as Senayan's Eastern Parking Lot
and the National Monument (Monas) area, both in Central Jakarta.

"We are waiting for the governor's instructions," he said.

Every year, thousands of Jakartans gather at the Monas square
to celebrate New Year's Eve.

Operators of hotels, discotheques and recreational parks said
here on Tuesday they would not organize events as lively as
previous years to respect the Muslims who are fasting.

The management of Hotel Horison, located on Jl. Pantai Indah
in North Jakarta, will stage events in Hawaiian style.

"The hotel is located on the city's northern coast. However,
we will not forget the country's culture," the hotel's public
relations manager, Nur'aini Prapdanu, said in a statement.

Prapdanu said the hotel's management would cut a nasi tumpeng
(rice cone) and strike a traditional Javanese gong, precisely at
midnight.

She said the hotel would have a Hawaiian Band, a hula-hula
dance and other live music before midnight.

The Hotel Sheraton Bandara, which is located in the Soekarno-
Hatta International Airport complex, will present singer Wanda
Stroller in the hotel's lounge.

"We'll also have dinner for guests who stay for the final
countdown at midnight," Esther Pormes, public relations officer
of the hotel, said.

Not only hotels, but discotheques also pledged to obey the
government instruction to limit their operational hours to 2 a.m.

"We will present the popular singer Nicky Astria, a band and a
traditional dance from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m," said Ati, a marketing
officer of the Hailai Discotheque in Ancol, North Jakarta.

Guests could then go down to the dance floor and enjoy disco
music until 2 a.m., said Ati.

The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Park in East Jakarta will
present the famous dangdut music star Rhoma Irama on New Year's
Eve.

"He will be assisted by his Soneta group band," said Waluyo, a
park employee, adding that other less well-known dangdut singers
would accompany Rhoma.

The Taman Impian Jaya Ancol recreational park in North Jakarta
has yet to mention its events for New Year's Eve.

"We are currently planning the evening. We may hold events
which have Islamic nuances, since it will still be Ramadhan,"
Gatot R.S, the park's spokesman, said. (asa)