Jakartans take to the streets to mark New Year

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.