Jakartans take to the streets to mark New Year

Damar Harsanto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Forget bomb threats. Forget the economic and political crisis. It's time to party, to blow trumpets, to have fun and share joy and laughter.

On New Year Eve, some points across Jakarta turned into a sea of people as hundreds of thousands of party revelers left their homes to flood the fiesta venues.

Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta, Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta were among the central venues of joyous partygoers awaiting the New Year countdown.

People from all walks of life left their homes to have a picnic under the pitch black sky bringing with them lots of home- cooked food, instead of spending millions of rupiah in posh hotels or cafes.

On Jl. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Merdeka Selatan in front of the City Hall, families spread out mats on the green median strips, or parked their motorcycles on the pavement or roadsides.

They parked their cars wherever they wanted without fear of being ticketed by traffic authorities.

Street vendors offered drinks and snacks, while mobile food vendors occupied streets or pavements.

Heightened security concerns of a possible bomb attack and economic difficulties seemed to fail to deter Jakarta residents from going out to enjoy the festive mood which was much less noisy this year due to the police ban on firecrackers.

"Bomb attack? It's unlikely. But, if it did take place, the bombers must have no conscience at all. That's why we went out along with 10 of our relatives to celebrate the New Year," Tommy Medan, a resident of Ciputat, South Jakarta told The Jakarta Post near HI traffic circle.

Tommy and his family of four went to Ancol last year, though his other relatives stayed at home due to financial constraints.

"I suppose the current (financial) situation of our relatives has improved," said Tommy.

Tommy's family joined the street celebration with thousands of other partygoers packing the HI traffic circle's water fountain.

Dozens of children were seen frolicking in the fountain, while other revelers took photos.

Although police had warned residents not to violate traffic regulations, motorists were seen simply ignoring traffic regulations.

Children riding on the back of open trucks and riding motorcycles without helmets were a common sight.

Sucahyo, a resident of Rawabunga, East Jakarta, took all five family members on his motorcycle, neglecting their own safety. But, police did nothing to warn them.

Hotel Indonesia traffic circle as the center of the people's street party along Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman featured various attractions, while a giant stage in front of Grand Hyatt Hotel featured prayers recited by various religious groups.

Among the attractions were a Chinese lion and dragon dance, cultural performance Reog Ponorogo from East Java, and Ondel ondel from Jakarta, as well as bicycle acrobatics performed by teenagers.

The street party organized by the Indonesian Television Broadcasting Association, was the first in the city since the tenure of former governor Ali Sadikin in the 1970s.

Also present at the celebration were Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara, and popular Muslim preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar, known as Aa Gym.

The New Year celebration peaked in the countdown displayed on a giant screen behind the stage following the release of hundreds doves and colorful balloons as a symbol of peace.

Following the release, the New Year's celebration was concluded with a short speech by Gymnastiar calling on all people to restrain from conflicts.

Unfortunately, the speech was disturbed by drizzle forcing spectators to run for shelter or transportation to return home.

Many taxi drivers took advantage of the situation by refusing to use the meter and bargaining for a fare instead. Most of them claimed the reason was the heavy traffic congestion although that was not always the case.

Security was maintained in the capital during the celebration as police officers were seen safeguarding intersections, places of worships, and other busy areas.

Police deployed more than 15,000 personnel to maintain security.

Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital reported that nine people were injured and being treated at the hospital due to traffic accidents in several parts of the city. However, no fatalities were reported.