New Year's warmth hits Jakartans

New Year's warmth hits Jakartans

JAKARTA (JP): The nightmares of 1998, the ailing economy and
the gloomy expectations for 1999 did not stop Jakartans taking to
major thoroughfares in the capital to celebrate New Year's Eve.

A similar mood was also apparent in other big cities across
the country, though celebrations varied.

In Jakarta, hundreds of thousands of happy-looking pedestrians
and motorists took over streets while heading to popular venues
for on-the-street celebrations at the National Monument (Monas)
park in Central Jakarta and Ancol Dreamland park in North
Jakarta.

As if not daring to disrupt the happiness of Jakartans, a
great many of who lived in fear during 1998, the weather remained
friendly, particularly around the midnight hours. The drizzle
which fell in the evening vanished at midnight.

With a full moon blanketed by a cloudy sky, the air was filled
with the noise of people blowing party trumpets and blasting
horns, lighting firecrackers and the deafening sounds coming from
the mufflers of roaring motorcycles.

Most cars were packed with adults and children. They seemed
undeterred by the heavy traffic as they cheerfully blew their
trumpets and blasted their car horns at passing cars until 3 a.m.
Friday.

Although there were no big attractions, such as a fireworks
display, in respect for the current Ramadhan fasting month, the
New Year's revelers in the capital merrily celebrated the
changing of the year at a variety of places, such as parks,
street cafes, hotels and dimly lit drink stalls.

At the three-week-old street cafe complex in the Central
Business District in South Jakarta, over 3,000 revelers joined
the noisy crowd in a countdown: 10, ... Three, Two, One!

Those gathered reacted with euphoria; congratulating, hugging
and kissing each other.

Before midnight at Monas, people were surprised to see eight
armored vehicles pass along the nearby Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat
with four to five military personnel, all in combat uniform and
armed, sitting atop the slowly moving vehicles, blowing party
trumpets.

In response, the sea of New Year's revelers at the Monas park
gave thumbs-up signals to the light parade.

Central Jakarta precinct chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said the
armored vehicles were withdrawn from their posts in the area to
let people enter the site for the occasion.

No serious incidents occurred at Monas park, but a middle-aged
man complained to the police that his wallet containing Rp
870,000 had been stolen by a transvestite. The transvestite, he
said, pushed him before taking his wallet and disappearing into
the crowd.

At Istiqlal Grand Mosque, more than 1,000 people marked New
Year's Eve by performing tahajud (midnight prayer) and reciting
the holy Koran.

In his speech, a preacher at the mosque reminded the
congregation about the nightmares of 1998 and hoped that 1999
would give better lives to the country and its people.

At the nearby Jakarta Cathedral, a New Year's Eve mass was
held at 6 p.m. led by Father Sugiri.

In his message, Sugiri reminded people to thank God for last
year's event despite the upheavals.

"The economic and political crisis in 1998 should make people
stronger to face 1999," he said.

In the coastal area of Ancol, a crowd of some 10,000 revelers
also kicked off celebrations in ecstasy.

A number of red-fire lines fired from vessels in Jakarta Bay
illuminated the sky and the bay.

Governor Sutiyoso and his entourage arrived at the Art Market
in Dreamland a few minutes after midnight.

In his 10-minute speech, he told the crowd that last year's
incidents should forever remain in their minds as an "experience
to learn from".

"Remember, thousands of lives were lost in the May and
November riots. For the sake of better living, I urge all of you
to control yourselves and work harder to maintain the peace we're
experiencing this Ramadhan," Sutiyoso said.

The governor ended his speech by singing with City Military
Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman, Jakarta Police chief Maj.
Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman, City Council head Edy Waluyo
accompanied by singers Puput Novel and Mayangsari.

In the Maluku capital of Ambon, thousands of revelers
celebrated New Year's Eve by staging a fireworks party along the
city's main road of JL. A.Y. Patti, causing heavy traffic
congestion until the wee hours of Friday. A slight incident
between groups of youths occurred when they started throwing
firecrackers at each other in Poka district. No casualties were
reported.

Teenagers burned and threw fireworks at passersby on New
Year's Eve in Cilegon, Banten, near the coastal resort of Anyer.

Antara reported that the local youths obstructed the main road
connecting Anyer and Jakarta before pelting lit fireworks at
hundreds of trapped motorists.

Banten regional police chief said: "Let them enjoy their party
because if we disrupt them, it might become worse." The police
later dispersed the crowd. (bsr/jun/ylt/emf)