Fireworks and dangdut for closing ceremony

Fireworks and dangdut for closing ceremony

JAKARTA (JP): Fireworks and dangdut music will be the
highlights of Sunday's closing ceremony, which will emphasize the
unity of the athletes after competing in a nine-day regional
event.

The organizers' deputy for ceremonies, Putera Astaman, said
yesterday that about 15 tons of fireworks, worth Rp 400 million
(US$115,000), would be used during the farewell bash.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas is
expected to officially closed the biennial event, which started
on Oct. 11.

The closing will not be as extravagent as the Rp 4.8 billion
opening; Putera promised to make it a more relaxed occasion,
where all the athletes will be able to mingle.

Sydney-based fireworks company The Original Howard & Sons
Pyrothechnics have promised to present the most spectacular
fireworks display ever seen in Indonesia.

The company's display director, Andrew Howard, told The
Jakarta Post: "The display is scheduled to begin at around 9 p.m.
and last for over ten minutes."

He said the fireworks would be launched from 25 positions
around the Stadium, including from its roof. He promised the
display would be totally different from the one put on for the
opening ceremony.

"The most spectacular main display will be when we fire huge
radiant red and white fireworks, which symbolize the colors of
Indonesia, at the end of the show," Howard said.

The biggest fireworks, which each weigh about 10 kilograms,
will go about 400 meters in the air and break about 250 meters
wide.

Putera said people as far away as Blok M, South Jakarta, would
be able to enjoy the fireworks.

During the fireworks, top singers Iis Dahlia, Ikke Nurjanah,
Cici Paramida, Farid Hardja and Krisdayanti will entertain the
athletes and spectators.

"We expect Jakartans to come to Senayan. Even if they don't
have tickets, we'll allow them to enter the stadium, as long as
there are seats available," Putera said.

"If they can't get in, they can still enjoy the fireworks in
the sky."

Nearly 5,500 people will participate in Pelangi Jawa Timur
(East Java Rainbow) and Gendang Rampak dances.

Putera said the reason for opting for East Java was because
the province is preparing to stage the 2000 National Games in
Surabaya.

The closing will start at 5.30 p.m. with a performance by a
marching band and the Gita Nusa chorus. These will be followed by
the two dances.

The SEA Games flag will then be lowered and handed over to
Brunei Darussalam in its capacity as the next host.

Forty-five Brunei dancers, who arrived yesterday, are expected
to perform as the flag is handed over. (Primastuti Handayani and
Christiani S.A. Tumelap)