Fairground security upped to anticipate rockin' crowds
Fairground security upped to anticipate rockin' crowds
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Jakarta Fair organizing committee will tighten security at
the Jakarta Fairground when the country's top musicians perform
there during the last week of the one-month fair, which is
expected to attract huge crowds.
More than 800,000 visitors are expected to attend the shows
featuring noted singers and bands, such as Inul Daratista, Slank,
God Bless, Jamrud and Sheila on 7.
The shows, to be held at the fair's main stage, will start on
Saturday and continue until the fair closes on July 13.
The fair's public relations manager, Magdalena Wenas, told The
Jakarta Post that the committee would recruit up to 1,000 police
and military personnel to maintain security during the events.
"Our concern is not only for the safety of spectators, but
also for other visitors who come to see other attractions at the
fair," she said.
Up until the 23rd day of the annual fair on Friday, the
committee recorded 1,067,376 visitors.
The event project director, Ralph Scheuneman, said that the
number was larger than last year's attendance on Day 23 of only
881,226 visitors.
"This year's number of visitors is increasing dramatically
each day. Last weekend, we had more than 100,000 people visiting
the fair on each day," he told a press conference on Thursday.
However, it is unlikely that the target of two million
visitors would be met, despite the star-studded performances. The
Jakarta Fair's total attendance was 1,468,019 last year.
The most popular show may be one featuring Inul, a
controversial dangdut singer, who will perform on Monday night at
7 p.m.
Inul, known for her ngebor or gyrating dance style, has
attracted local and international attention, especially after
Rhoma Irama or the "King of dangdut" condemned her movements,
saying they were too sensual, and banned her from singing his
songs.
Several music groups that charm the younger set are rock bands
Slank, God Bless, Sheila on 7 and Jamrud, which will also perform
in the fair currently hosting some 950 stands.
The organizing committee also predicted an increase in total
business revenue.