Jakarta Fair 2003 proving venue for family relaxation

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Risqi, 4, appeared elated while posing for photographs with two gigantic statues of a couple clad in native Jakartan, or Betawi, attire.

"Hold their hands and smile, dear," said her father, Santosa, while taking her picture.

Risqi's family, from Bogor in West Java, is among thousands of people expected to visit the month-long Jakarta Fair 2003, which opened on Thursday.

"It's really nice entertainment for all of my family members. I can see the latest edition of various products like electronics or motorcycles. My wife can look at new household appliances, and I can buy snacks and dolls for the kids," Santosa told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Another family of 10 people from Jembatan Tiga in West Jakarta, including three toddlers and a grandmother in a wheelchair, were also seen enjoying themselves at the fair in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Most of the visitors came in groups with their family members and other relatives.

The fair, held annually since 1968 when Jakarta was led by popular governor Ali Sadikin, remains a magnet for Jakartans, with over 95,800 visitors since the opening four days ago. There were 108,000 visitors during the first four days last year.

The fair is meant to be part entertainment and part trade promotion for local companies.

When the Jakarta Fair was first held at Monas (National Monument Park) 35 years ago, it attracted more than 1.4 million visitors and involved 161 participants.

The fair venue was later moved in 1992 from Monas to the former Kemayoran air field. Since the early 1990s, the city administration authorized the Jakarta International Trade Fair (JITF), owned by businessman Edward Soerjadjaja, to organize the event.

Alan Taufiq Hidayat, a spokesman for this year's fair, said the organizer expects two million visitors overall and projects Rp 200 billion worth of transactions.

Last year, the fair managed to attract 1.6 million visitors and generate Rp 180 billion, he added.

"We hope the number of visitors will peak by the end of this month, thanks to long school holidays later in June," said Alan.

A huge number of visitors are expected to flock to the fair next Saturday, when it features popular dangdut singer Inul Daratista, known for her rapid-fire, hip-shake movements and pelvic thrusts.