Police to come out in full force for 'Kenduri Nasional'
Police to come out in full force for 'Kenduri Nasional'
JAKARTA (JP): City police will be out in force to secure the
Kenduri Nasional grand festivity of the 50th anniversary of
Indonesia's Independence at the National Monument (Monas) park in
Central Jakarta on Aug. 19.
"We realize that it's not an easy job because the grand
festivity on the weekend is expected to be attended by about
300,000 spectators and a number of VVIPs and VIPs," commander of
the security of the event, Col. Muhantojo, told reporters
yesterday.
President and First Lady Tien Soeharto and Vice President and
Mrs. Try Sutrisno and a number of cabinet ministers are scheduled
to attend the fiesta, which includes pray services, a feast, a
mega parade of cultural performances representing all of the
country's 27 provinces, a spectacular fireworks display and
traditional stage performances.
Without disclosing the precise number of police to be deployed
for the grand fiesta, Muhantojo said that his force will be
accompanied by hundreds of personnel from other bodies, such as
the city military.
According to the latest data, the city police number
approximately 15,000 in Jakarta, a capital city of over 10
million inhabitants.
The police are urging people intending to see the event, which
will begin in the afternoon, not to use private cars.
"We'll close streets around the area to all vehicles, except
public buses, beginning at 2 p.m. that day," said secretary of
the city traffic police directorate, Lt. Col. FX Soenarno.
According to Soenarno, the streets to be closed include Jl.
Medan Merdeka Utara, Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jl. Medan Merdeka
Barat and Jl. Majapahit Baru.
"Vehicles heading from the south to north, and vice versa,
will be asked to use other available alternative routes," he
said.
Muhantojo also reminded spectators not to bring any alcoholic
beverages or weapons.
The Kenduri Nasional grand party, costing Rp 975 million
(US$431,415), is being held by the National Committee for the
50th Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day and chaired by
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.
During the fiesta, all streets surrounding the National
Monument building will be covered with mats on which various
types of Indonesian food will be presented.
President and Mrs. Soeharto along with other guests will sit
in place of honor around a huge dining mat.
According to Muhantojo, the committee will also build a
temporary mini mosque, church and temple in order to allow the
visitors of different religions to pray.
After the meal and prayers, the committee will present the
parade of cultural performances called Gelar Budaya Nusantara
with 27 floats representing the 27 provinces from 6:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m.
For many Jakartans, the best part of the Saturday evening
might be the half-an-hour long fireworks display, an exciting
presentation arranged by the French embassy and the City
Municipality office.
A tentative schedule states that at 8:30 p.m. four helicopters
will open the display by flying over the monument and at certain
points releasing fireworks.
The fireworks display has been designed by Pierre-Alain
Hubert, a 51-year-old fireworks master from France.
According to a release from the Center Culturel Francais,
which sponsored his travel here, Hubert will be accompanied by
his 19 technicians and 40 local assistants.
The 30-minute-long fireworks display, named Burning the sky of
Jakarta, will explode 4,000 fireworks weighing about 13 tons.
Hubert and his staff have worked since Aug. 7. They will
install the fireworks around the National Monument beginning
Monday.
The show will be followed by a night-long cultural show.
Besides the grand festivity, another one-day gala fiesta
called Pesta Rakyat will be held at Parkir Timur of Senayan
stadium today. A number of noted artists and a laser beam display
will entertain spectators, said Muhantojo.
Drivers are urged to avoid passing the area due to the
possibility of congested traffic. (bsr)