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)