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)