City returning to chaotic self

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Heavier traffic and more crowded shopping malls this weekend indicate Jakarta was returning to its normal hectic pace after a quiet peaceful capital during the Idul Fitri holiday.

Tens of thousands of citizens returned the city on Sunday.

"I have to get back to work on Monday. I heard that a absentee list (for civil servants) would be sent to the presidential palace to be checked to see whether we are really back at work on time or not," said Wanto, a civil servant with the Ministry of Education, outside the Pulo Gadung bus terminal in East Jakarta.

Pulo Gadung terminal head Pardjiman estimated that more than 60,000 passengers would have arrived there by midnight on Sunday at the peak of the influx.

Peak numbers of passengers were also seen at the Lebak Bulus bus terminal in South Jakarta, Kampung Rambutan in East Jakarta and Kalideres in West Jakarta, where some 7,900, 38,900 and 44,000 people respectively were counted arriving.

More than 30,000 passengers were also expected at the Jatinegara and Gambir railway stations in East and Central Jakarta.

However, most of the free first aid posts set up at the stations were ignored by returning Jakartans.

"I didn't know that there was such a service. Anyway, I think we are in too much a hurry to use it," said Wiro, who had just arrived at Pulo Gadung from Purwokerto, Central Java.