New Year's Eve gala undampened by crisis

JAKARTA (JP): Though many cities celebrated New Year's Eve modestly due to the prolonged economic crisis, customary live and loud music, fireworks and entertainment still highlighted the revelry in many areas.

Heavy rain in some places accompanied solemn prayers and the reading of messages of peace in some cities, but failed to dampen the high-spirited celebrations in others, Antara reported. Two road fatalities reportedly occurred in Yogyakarta, Central Java.

In the West Java towns of Bandung and Garut, however, thousands were involved in clashes and stone throwing. In the first town, thousands of people marked the new year by throwing stones and firecrackers at a number of shops and five banks on Jl. Ahmad Yani and Jl. Asia Afrika.

The melee died down after dozens of security personnel were deployed to the site. Thirty-five people were arrested in connection with the incident, which broke out for no apparent reason.

In another part of Bandung, revelers clashed and threw stones at one another. Dozens were slightly injured.

In Garut, six shops and one supermarket were vandalized and looted while an automatic teller machine belonging to Danamon Bank was damaged. Police apprehended 28 people for questioning.

In Dili, East Timor, thousands of people thronged churches for a New Year's Eve mass. Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo led the service in Cathedral Imaculada de Conceicao, delivering a message of peace for the devout. At about the same time at 7 p.m., Muslims in Dili went to mosques for tarawih (night prayers during Ramadhan fasting month).

"Let's have a humble New Year's celebration without riots. Let's gather and pray," local leader Maria Olandina Alves said.

In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, houses and cars competed in who could turn up their sound systems the loudest. Young and old swarmed into the streets and sang traditional songs.

Similarly cheerful celebrations occurred in Jayapura, Irian Jaya, and in Ambon, Maluku, when thousands of people jammed the streets, dancing to loud music and enjoying the fireworks.

"Tonight I sold all of my firecrackers ... I've made Rp 700,000," said 40-year-old Soepadji, a street vendor.

In West Nusa Tenggara, celebrations were concentrated at Senggigi Beach in the capital Mataram as tourists and local alike packed hotels there about three days before New Year's Eve.

In Yogyakarta, Central Java, residents endured a downpour since Thursday afternoon, and yet still came out in the thousands to create merry crowds on Jl. Malioboro, Jl. Laksda Adi Sutjipto and Jl. Solo.

According to Yogyakarta Police chief Col. Bani Siswono, two people died in separate traffic accidents on the Demak Ijo northern ring road in Sleman and on Jl. Wonosari in Gunung Kidul.

In Semarang, the capital of Central Java, New Year's was marked with traditional lek-lekan (vigil). Residents gathered at the Pelabuhan Indonesia III port to greet the coming of the first ship into the port in 1999.

In Surabaya, East Java Governor Imam Utomo joined in the around-the-town celebrations and gave away food packages to on- duty police officers.

"We hope the crisis will soon be over and people can again live in peace," Imam said. "Nineteen ninety-eight has been a hard year for all of us."

In Bali, thousands of tourists and locals poured into various tourist sites such as Kuta and Sanur beaches and Tanah Lot.

Bali Police chief Brig. Gen. Gunawan said all was peaceful. "Only theft cases occurred and everybody seems to be happy," he said.

But a quiet New Year's Eve was seen in Poso, Central Sulawesi, as the city remained gripped in tension following recent riots. Few people were seen on the streets, with residents choosing to stay home, leaving only soldiers patrolling their neighborhoods.

A similarly gloomy eve was evident in Palu, also in Central Sulawesi, as most people chose to stay inside due to heavy rains.

Tension was also present in Cilegon, West Java, with crowds throwing firecrackers at vehicles trapped in heavy congestion on Jl. Raya Cilegon, creating panic and fear among residents.

The incident ended at about 1:30 a.m. Friday when police dispersed the people blocking the road, allowing traffic to move again. (edt/44)