Main roads to be closed on Aug. 17

Main roads to be closed on Aug. 17

JAKARTA (JP): A number of streets around National Monument
Square will be temporarily closed on Monday during flag-hoisting
ceremonies on commemoration of the nation's 53rd Independence
Day, an officer said yesterday.

Among the streets to be closed for the morning and afternoon
flag-hoisting ceremonies at Merdeka Palace in Central Jakarta are
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, Jl. Veteran,
Jl. Veteran 1, Jl. Veteran 2 and Jl. Veteran 3.

Part of Jl. Majapahit will also be temporarily closed, city
police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang told the media yesterday.

According to Aritonang, the streets will be closed during the
two ceremonies from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m..

The annual ceremonies will be led by President B.J. Habibie
and attended by ministers, top brass of the Armed Forces, foreign
envoys and relatives of the nation's heroes. Former president
Soeharto, who led the ceremonies for over 30 years, is also
expected to attend.

Traffic in the area will be rerouted. Motorists from Jl. M.H.
Thamrin planning to go to downtown Kota will be directed to turn
left at the water fountain-traffic circle at the end of Jl. M.H.
Thamrin and pass through Jl. Budi Kemulyaan, Jl. Abdul Muis and
Jl. Majapahit.

Those going in the opposite direction will be required to turn
left after Jl. Hayam Wuruk and drive down Jl. H. Juanda, Jl. Pos,
Jl. Gedung Kesenian, Jl. Banteng Utara, Jl. Banteng Barat, Jl.
Pejambon, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Jl. Ridwan Rais, Jl. Prapatan
and take a U-turn to Jl. Arief Rachman Halim and head back on Jl.
Ridwan Rais before getting onto Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan.

Motorists from Jl. M.H. Thamrin heading to Pasar Baru or Senen
will be directed to take a right turn at the same the fountain-
traffic circle and drive down Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jl.
Silang Merdeka Tenggara, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, Jl. Perwira and
Jl. Kathedral.

But officer Aritonang suggested: "It would be wise to avoid
the streets located near the palace unless you want to get dizzy
looking for a way out."

Prior to the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, a solemn prayer and
military parade will be held at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in
South Jakarta from 10 p.m. Sunday until 2 a.m. Monday, the
officer said. Police will close part of Jl. Pahlawan Kalibata and
divert traffic around the location. (edt)