Smooth traffic on holidays

JAKARTA: Many of the capital's major, normally teeming thoroughfares were empty on Sunday and Monday in the absence of residents who fled the city to celebrate the religious holidays in their hometowns.

The usually jammed Jl. Sudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin, for instance, were almost completely deserted.

But there were exceptions. The roads which lead to recreation areas such as Ancol in North Jakarta, the Ragunan zoo, East Jakarta and the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta, on the other hand, were jam-packed with visitors' vehicles.

Roads near public cemeteries, such as Jl. Tanah Kusir in South Jakarta, meantime, also appeared busy with people stopping to pray at the graves of their relatives and loved ones.

Jakartans also poured into shopping malls, many of which remained open on the holiday, although several shops in some of the buildings were shuttered.

While many Jakartans chose to stay at home and receive guests, others went to public recreational areas to be with family and friends.--JP