Holiday mood prevails in Jakarta

Holiday mood prevails in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri fever was still affecting the city
yesterday as government offices, roads, businesses and shopping
centers were largely vacant. Offices reported leave-taking of up
to 35 percent.

Those who turned up at work complained of difficulty in
getting public transport. But once on board, journeys that
usually took two hours, for instance from Bekasi, East Jakarta,
to Senen, Central Jakarta, took as little as 40 minutes.

Passengers said buses were scarce but drivers said competition
is already tight for many Jakartans who have returned from
outside town.

Many taxi drivers refused to use their meters. "I could only
collect Rp 47,000 by 4 p.m.," said Salim L. of the President taxi
company, who agreed to run his meter. On average he gets around
Rp 100,000 daily, he said.

The regularly crammed toll gates were also congestion-free.

Fast food restaurants were quiet. Almost all banks,
entertainment centers and massage parlors opened but saw little
activity. Employees said this situation may last until Monday.

A number of private and government offices closed at 11 a.m.
or 1 p.m. after employees did a little work, served customers and
exchanged greetings.

Lifts at the Ministry of Home Affairs were deactivated to save
electricity, Antara reported.

Hotels, which are used as illicit prostitution dens, saw only
a few prostitutes, and male visitors said they were disappointed
at the limited choice available.

"I hope all of my girls can arrive tomorrow," a pimp in West
Jakarta told The Jakarta Post.

City Hall

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja drove home his point on discipline
despite the festivities and arrived at work before 6:30 a.m.

But municipality offices adjacent to City Hall saw an absence
of 20 percent or 82 unexplained absences out of 2,542 employees.
Eighty-four others reported late.

A total of 155 are on leave while 93 are still in training.

Bambang Sungkono, the assistant to the city secretary in
charge of personnel supervision, said the maximum penalty for
unexplained absence is a harsh warning from an employee's unit
chief.

Surjadi conducted a surprise inspection of several offices.
"Check into the reasons of these absences," he ordered.

However the Ministry of Manpower managed to attract employees
back to work by holding Idul Fitri parties.

Public relations officer Faudi said the party announcement
proved effective. "But most left after the party," he confessed.

Court hearings were delayed. At the East Jakarta district
court children of employees played in the yards, as their minders
or servants had not returned.

Several employees could not even start work yesterday, as
officials with keys to their rooms did not arrive until 11 p.m.
However some privately-run offices are holding mass holidays
until Monday in anticipation of lazy days.

Sessions at the Jakarta State Administrative Court in East
Jakarta will also start Monday.

"For court hearings, it is relatively easy to find a date
everyone is happy with," said Lintong O. Siahaan, the head of the
Court.

At the West Jakarta district court some 25 percent of around
70 employees are on leave, a security officer said.

A secretary at the South Jakarta office of the city's tax
collection agency said 35 percent of its employees are on leave.

A manager of the Ramayana department store in Blok M said
shopping centers can be expected to see their normal shopping
crowds return next week.

"Next week is also when employees get their salaries," Jeffrey
Monaga said.

In downtown Glodok, the usually crammed shops were also quiet
except for buyers of electronic goods.

Others said buying electronics was a good way to spend their
Idul Fitri bonus.

"It's better to buy electronics rather than throwing away
money going to our hometowns on crowded buses," said Oskar, 36,
displaying his new laser disc player.

The celebration of Chinese New Year, which fell on Feb. 19, is
another reason why shops are still closed.

The City Police Headquarters opened for services, such as
driving licenses, only up to 11 a.m.

The National Library, which usually closes at 4 p.m., also
closed at noon, disappointing visitors. (team)

Editorial -- Page 4