Hustle-and-bustle creeps back onto Jakarta streets
Hustle-and-bustle creeps back onto Jakarta streets
JAKARTA (JP): After two weeks of tension, the capital returned
to its routine daily hustle-and-bustle yesterday.
The city, recently paralyzed by riots, arson and looting with
some streets blocked by heavily-armed security forces, once again
experienced traffic congestion at most intersections.
The scenes of large crowds of commuters queuing for public
transportation also colored the capital's activities yesterday.
Most offices, schools, universities and factories returned to
normal business activities again.
"I hope the nightmare is over so we can have time to return to
our daily business activities," said an executive of a private
firm who had just returned from Singapore after taking shelter
there during the riots.
At many places, workers could be seen repairing burned or
damaged buildings.
At riot-torn Glodok and Ciledug, the worst-hit areas during
the May 14 turmoil, business owners and their employees started
to clean up the debris scattered throughout the shops.
Some whose property was totally destroyed only visited the
site, debating whether they should start their businesses again.
"I can't believe that hard times have come to my life again,"
said Henry Widjaja while looking at his gutted electronics store
at Glodok.
While most shopping centers tried to pick up the pieces,
traditional markets in the greater Jakarta area enjoyed brisk
business with some traders raising the prices of their goods.
Large crowds were seen in Jatinegara and Cililitan in East
Jakarta, Senen and Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta, Blok M in South
Jakarta and Mangga Dua in North Jakarta.
Dozens of tired security personnel were seen on guard at a few
buildings, such as the House of Representatives and bank offices
on the city's main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH
Thamrin in Central Jakarta.
Access to the National Monument Square and vital government
buildings, including the Presidential Palace and ministerial
offices, were opened up since the weekend.
Over the past two weeks, the area was heavily secured by
military troops and armored vehicles.
Entertainment
Most entertainment spots, including those in the downtown Kota
area, were open again yesterday and Sunday evening.
"This is the first day we reopened but only a few people have
come in," said a parking attendant.
The first working day after a two-week break, many people
discussed the country's political turmoil.
Some said they feared that the calm may not last long since
many government critics opposed the appointment of President B.J.
Habibie.
Long lines of customers, waiting to withdraw their money,
could be seen at BCA branches and automatic teller machines in
and around the city in the past few days.
Chinese Indonesians and expatriates continued to return to the
country after taking refuge overseas from the unrest, according
to airport officials.
They said that the number of arrivals would reach its peak
this week.
Unlike their departure last week, many people who arrived at
the airport beginning Sunday brought little luggage.
"I returned just to see the possibilities for me to go on with
my business here. I will only stay for few days," said Karya
Mulyadi of Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
Karya, a father of three daughters, said his family remained
at his relative's house in Singapore for safety reasons.
The owner of an electronics business on Jl. Gunung Sahari,
Central Jakarta, said that although his store was not burned he
lost most of its contents to looters.
"I don't mind starting the business all over again. All that
matters to me is that my family is safe," he said.
An airport official said there were no extra flights scheduled
to compensate for the increased influx.
"It's different from the exodus during which airlines had to
prepare at least two extra flights for the same destination,"
Mira, the airport's information official, said.
Most of the returning people admitted that they had come back
because Soeharto had resigned. (bsr/emf)