Jakarta celebrates New Year's in a modest way

JAKARTA (JP): Even though Jakarta celebrated New Year's Eve modestly, with no sound of the customary live and loud music, fireworks or entertainment, people's joy could still be seen across the capital.

Street celebrations were not as crowded as in previous years, but thousands of Jakartans still poured on to Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Thamrin, Jl. Gajah Mada, Harmoni and Jl. Hayam Wuruk and Monas Park in Central Jakarta.

Heavy rain, which fell in almost all parts of the city at about 5 p.m, could not halt ravelers from blowing trumpets and flocking to the jammed roads in cars and on motorcycles.

The traffic jams in and around Monas Park worsened as people returned home from the Ramadhan evening tarawih prayer at the Istiqlal mosque.

Hundreds of cars were parked around the park while their occupants sat in the park, waiting for the change of year.

New Year's Eve celebrations peaked on Wednesday at Ancol Recreational Park, where about 800,000 people gathered despite the absence of live or other musical entertainment.

Governor Sutiyoso marked the end of 1997 and the beginning of 1998 with prayers at Ancol art market at midnight.

Religious leaders, high-ranking city officials and businessmen mingled with anxious visitors as a sign of solidarity amid the monetary crisis that has gripped the city and the whole country over the past few months.

"We celebrate the New Year with special concern and well being in mind ... No fancy fiesta does not mean that we have less New Year contemplation," Sutiyoso said, adding that since 1965, this is the first time Jakarta has not had a grand new year celebration.

Also attending the rare solemn prayer gathering at Ancol were City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, the head of the City Council, Edy Waluyo, and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

In his brief address after the function, Sutiyoso said everybody should be able to screen information and develop an open mind and open-hearted character when hearing political rumors and issues that could create social unrest.

"I want the city to be more human. How? By consistently applying policies, starting with the regreening program through cleaning rivers to slum modernization. I know it's probably the hardest job I'll ever do ... but I intend to complete it," he said.

"And another important wish is for people not to bring their families or friends to Jakarta. We are already swamped with a 9.5 million population. You can see for yourself it's hard to make a living here. So please just leave Jakarta and build your own hometowns," he said.

In the eastern part of the city, thousands of Moslems attended a mass prayer on Jl. Basuki Rahmat, near Kampung Melayu flyover. The routine mass prayer featured several popular ulemas, including Nur Muhammad Iskandar, as speakers.

A group of youths who went to the Mulia Senayan Hotel last night was upset because the hotel, including CJ's cafe located there, had not laid on a special function to celebrate the new year.

"We just want to spend the last minutes of this year with our best friends. But, even the cafe was closed," said Amy, one of the girls.

Many restaurants, like TGI's Friday and Bebek Bali, located in Taman Ria Senayan, were also closed on New Year's Eve in observance of the start of Ramadhan.

Hotel Atlet Century Park in Senayan held a tarawih prayer for both its employees and guests without a new year party to go to.

At least three people died and dozens were injured in separate incidents in New Year's Eve revelry in the city.

The fatalities were identified as 17-year-old Sandro, who died in a traffic accident on Jl. Dr. Saharjo, Tebet, in South Jakarta; Heru Purwanto, 24, who died in a traffic accident in Ciracas, East Jakarta and First Sgt. Gatot Susanto, 35, who died after a car hit him on Jl. Raya A. Yani, Bekasi.

Triplets who had just been delivered died yesterday at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital. Syamsuddin, an employee of the Bimantara Group, was shocked after hearing that his babies died of a heart disease.

Hamami said yesterday that there was a decrease in the number of reported crimes occurring on New Year's Eve.

He said the number of crimes dropped by 31 percent to only 11, compared to 16 the previous year.

"The most significant was traffic accidents, as they rose to six compared to four in the previous year," Hamami said.

Hamami said the city welcomed the 1998 in peace.

"In general, I'd say that everything was safe and under control," he said.

"The situation last night was calm, I think, because most of our people, either Christians or Moslems, were busy with their religious routines," he said.

Hamami also said that there were no reports of violations by entertainment centers, especially regarding opening-hours regulations.

A huge operation was launched Tuesday, when 121 entertainment spots were checked and seven of them were sealed in a bid to enforce the ban on New Year's Eve celebration stated in a gubernatorial decree dated Dec. 11.

In the decree all entertainment spots were banned from hosting new year celebrations and must be closed for a specified six days during Ramadhan and the Idul Fitri holiday.

The seven spots temporarily closed were: Dewi and Royal massage parlors, both in West Jakarta, Furama Karaoke in Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta, Muara Karang's games center in North Jakarta, Kakatua Restaurants in Sunter, North Jakarta and Akoya Live Music and Entertainment and Travel Hotel, both in Mangga Besar, West Jakarta.

All the above had opened their businesses despite the ban.

Last Wednesday a fire raged through a house on Jl. Mawar at Srengseng, South Jakarta. No causalities were reported and the loss was estimated at around Rp 25 million (US$4,550). Four fire engines were deployed to put out the fire.

A round-up operation against social misfits, such as sidewalk vendors, vagrants and beggars also continued, Yesterday 765 were rounded up. (jun/cst/edt/04)