'Dangdut' singers mesmerize fans at Ancol

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands cheered as the king of Indonesian dangdut music, Rhoma Irama, began a free show last night at the former Ancol circuit in North Jakarta, to celebrate the country's golden anniversary.

Rhoma Irama started with a prayer, then proceeded with his song 185 Juta Penduduk Indonesia (185 Million Indonesians), a new version of his old hit, 135 Juta Penduduk Indonesia. The crowd of more than 100,0000, who had started gathering at the five-hectare plot from 4:30 p.m., clapped their raised hands and swayed to Rhoma's song.

A total of 30 singers, including Camelia Malik, Itje Trisnawati, Elvi Sukaesih, Pepy Vera, Fahmi Syahab and Mega Mustika -- all noted dangdut (music with middle eastern influence) singers -- took part in one of the largest dangdut events ever held in the country.

Last night was full of the independence spirit, from the "Freedom" yells of the singers, to the Rp 120-million stage, which was dominated by the colors of the national flag. It was also a night of the people, in keeping with the wish of President Soeharto that the celebrations of Indonesia's golden anniversary should be a people's party.

Many in the audience were surprised to learn that it was a free show.

"I heard about the show from the news on television, but it did not mentioned that it was free," Nining Setianingsih, an East Jakarta resident, who came with her two children and relatives from East Java, said.

The show, which started 40 minutes later than scheduled, was opened by Minister/Secretary of State Moerdiono, who struck a timpani, followed by a poetry reading entitled Semaraklah Indonesiaku (Glory To My Indonesia) by artist Dewi Yull and actors Deddy Mizwar, N.S. Syamsudin and C. Hayesi.

The crowd went crazy when Moerdiono took to the stage and danced with singer Fahmi Syahab, who presented his hit Kopi Dangdut.

The concert, organized by National Committee for Indonesia's Golden Anniversary, started at 7 p.m., with a total of 5,000 security men, including members of the Armed Forces, on guard. The show was aired live by the Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia (TPI). ABC television from Australia also covered the show. (yns)