Most main streets empty on first day of session
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)