Idea to hold New Year party at Monas hailed

Idea to hold New Year party at Monas hailed

JAKARTA (JP): Ciputra, the president of PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol, welcomed suggestions to hold future New Year's Eve parties at Monas (National Monument) square in Central Jakarta.

The president of the giant developer said that the city councilors' suggestion to move the annual party would be the best way to entertain the public.

However, he added that Ancol Dreamland will continue producing its own version of a public New Year's Eve show. "If the administration holds a New Year's eve celebration at Monas, the people will have another option."

Ancol Dreamland is owned and managed by PT Pembangunan Jaya group.

"Ancol has no problem with the suggestion and I think it will be great to have another party center. But it should be remembered that huge sums of money will be necessary to hold such an event," Ciputra told reporters.

He said that major shows at Ancol generally cost up to Rp 700 million (US$325,581), with some of the money coming from sponsors.

The governor will make his traditional year-end address at Ancol, which the city's military and police officers will also attend. Taman Mini will also be the site of special events for this year's celebration of New Year's Eve.

City Council members suggested on Tuesday that the local administration hold future New Year's Eve parties at Monas and not at its current site of Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja is against the idea of moving a mass party to Central Jakarta for fear of causing a disturbance. (yns)