Most main streets empty on first day of session

JAKARTA (JP): The capital's major thoroughfares were practically deserted on Tuesday as motorists appeared frightened by rumors of possible unrest or demonstrations on the first day of the four-day People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session.

Busy streets, including Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jl. Gajah Mada, streets around the National Monument (Monas) park, Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman, where cars are usually forced to go bumper-to-bumper at a snail's pace on most days, were all but empty.

Other smaller streets, such as Jl. Dewi Sartika, Jl. Otista, Jl. Matraman, Jl. TB. Simatupang, Jl. Kebon Sirih, Jl. Cikini, Jl. Warung Buncit, Jl. Pasar Minggu and Jl. Raya Bogor were also quiet.

Some shops and offices in the areas were closed. "Maybe this is a kind of precaution by their owners toward any possible clashes involving student demonstrators," said Hasjman H., a City Hall employee.

The situation did not help public transport users, however, as many public transportation vehicles plying routes from eastern and southern Jakarta to the western and northern parts of the capital remained in the terminals, Antara reported.

Ucok, a driver of a Kopaja bus plying Kampung Rambutan-Tanah Abang, said, "I think I'm better off not working today as the route I serve will be blocked by demonstrators," Ucok said.

He could not decide whether he would resume operating on Wednesday, saying: "Just wait and see. I will suffer losses if I do not resume working."

A short traffic jam occurred around the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta when motorists were not allowed to pass a street in front of it because high-ranking officials were commemorating Hero Day's which fell on Tuesday.

A large number of soldiers were seen on most junctions of the city.

Despite the heavily armed solders and police officers, groups of civilians deployed to help secure the MPR session were also spotted at major intersections heading to the House of Representatives building complex in Central Jakarta.

The civilians wore white headbands bearing Arabic words and "SI MPR 1998" (MPR Special Session 1998) and carried bamboo poles.

"You'll perish if you are involved in a clash with them," one student told his friend while the two were passing the armed civilians.

A similar situation was witnessed in Tangerang, even though shops and markets continued to operate as usual.

But housewives and businessmen there complained about the tense situation brought about by the session.

An entertainment spot operator, Rudy, said that the number of visitors to his premises had dropped over the last few days. It will continue falling during the session, he said.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto urged residents to be on the alert and improve neighborhood patrols during the session to anticipate any unexpected happenings.

But Pudji told them not to overreact and report anything suspicious to the police. (41/ivy/jun)