Free amusements sought for anniversary revellers

JAKARTA (JP): Assistant to City Secretary Assistant Social Welfare Soenarjudardji called on owners of amusement parks such as Ancol dream land and the Indonesian in Miniature Park to give visitors a chance to enjoy the facilities for free on Aug. 17.

"I urge the owners to give a special gift to Jakartans to celebrate Independence day at the amusement parks without charging anything on Aug. 17," Soenarjudardji told reporters yesterday.

He added, however, that the city administration has not yet received any responses from the owners of amusement parks.

"It could be a rare patriotic expression of joy and happiness on the part of the owners of amusement parks in celebrating the 50th anniversary of our beloved republic," Soenarjudardji said, noting the decision made by owners of city cinemas to give a 20 percent discount on tickets.

"The cinema owners have set a good example. Hopefully many other owners of such entertainment centers will follow suit," he added.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has instructed all Jakartans, including shop and factory owners as well as officials of both private and government offices, to hoist the national flag for five days from Aug. 14 to 18 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In a related development, the city land transportation control agency has announced a 30 percent discount on bus fares in the city between Aug. 14 and Aug. 20 .

Head of the Agency J.P. Sepang said yesterday the discount is part of the government's call for discount of fares of land, sea and air transportation in honor of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Bus fares in Jakarta currently range between Rp 250 and Rp 1,350.

The state railway company, Perumka, has announced that it will provide free train rides to passengers in the greater Jakarta area on Independence Day, Aug. 17. (yns)