No special events planned to greet new millenium
No special events planned to greet new millenium
JAKARTA (JP): The new millennium is only five months away but
the city administration has yet to prepare for the big event,
causing confusion among hoteliers, entertainment park operators
and shopping complexes which usually start making promotional
plans months in advance.
Governor Sutiyoso said the administration had not made any
preparations as it was focusing on improving the city's social
and economic condition.
"We should continue to concentrate on making our condition
more stable, which includes preparing qualified people to face
tougher competition in the next millennium," he said.
The administration's lack of preparation has affected other
activities in the city.
A North Jakarta Ancol Dreamland Park management board
official, Gatot P., said that due to the administration's lack of
direction for New Year's celebrations, the management board --
which is under the administration's auspices -- could do nothing
at present.
"The management board has yet to discuss the matter, I don't
know what kind of entertainment will be arranged, moreover the
event will coincide with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan and
there could be restrictions," the board's public relations
officers told The Jakarta Post.
Ramadhan starts in early December this year.
Gatot said that in previous years preparation for the
celebration usually started two to three months before the event.
The public relations manager of the Hilton Hotel, Dewi
Widianti, said the lack of planning by the administration had
restricted the hotel from arranging any activities to mark the
new millennium.
"For instance, I doubt many hoteliers dare plan long
beforehand in fear of several restrictions (in relation to the
fasting month)," she said.
Dewi said she had contacted the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and
Culture to inquire about the government's policy on the matter,
"But they will only provide details in October."
As in previous years, she said, the hotel will have food
promotions and music entertainment related to events like
Christmas, New Year's Eve and the Ramadhan fasting month.
She said that due to present conditions, it would not be
surprising if many Indonesians planned to celebrate the coming
new year abroad.
One young executive, Imelda, told the Post recently that she
was considering celebrating the new year abroad, perhaps in
Singapore, as she predicted a dreary new year here.
"Of course I want to celebrate New Year's Eve in a more
special way this year. I have discussed with friends the
possibility of going abroad if the economy recovers further," she
said.
Felicia Gunawan from Mulia Senayan Hotel said much the same.
"So far we haven't made any special preparations for New Year's
Eve."
Felicia said the hotel only had a special program called
"catch the millennium countdown" which offered prizes for those
staying at the hotel during the month of July, in the form
coupons to get free rooms.
"We chose July to offer the program as it is six months, or
half year, before the change in millennium," she said.
Plaza Senayan Mall in South Jakarta is equally unprepared for
the new year.
The mall's public relations officer, Alivia, said the
management would only offer special discounts related to national
or international events as in years before. (ind)