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 Iman Haryatna said the armored vehicles were withdrawn from their posts in the area to let people enter the site for the occasion.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)