Traffic stops during moment of silence

JAKARTA (JP): Traffic on the city's main thoroughfares stopped for a while at noon, following a signal from sirens to start 30 seconds of silence to honor First Lady Tien Soeharto, whose body was about to be carried to the President's family mausoleum in Central Java.

Motorists using protocol roads in the Jl. Sudirman, Jl. M.H Thamrin and Jl. Merdeka areas stopped their vehicles and bowed their heads for a while as sirens sounded from several government offices in the area.

At the roundabout near Bank Indonesia police and public order officials stopped vehicles, notifying motorists of the nation- wide moment of remembrance.

At several other sites including the Cikampek and Jagorawi toll roads, motorists stopped and bowed their heads. Toll employees also stopped their activities.

At the same time citizens at home, in shops, foodstalls, markets and offices were informed by television of the stoppage.

Many people had been following closely the live report from Central Java. The observance of silence was held while the coffin carrying the body of the First Lady was taken from the Presidential residence, Dalem Kalitan, to Astana Giri Bangun, Karanganyar, around 30 kilometers to the east of Surakarta.

Roads in Jakarta were more quiet and pedestrians around bus terminals were less numerous than usual.

The silence was also observed in private and government offices, and schools.

Employees of the House of Representatives observed the silence in their respective work places.

At the Ministry of Home Affairs, employees bowed their heads twice, once in their weekly morning assembly and again at noon.

At the City Hall, the Deputy Governor for Development Affairs, T.B. Rais, led the moment of silence in the lobby for around 20 seconds. Surrounding traffic on Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan and Jl. Kebon Sirih also stopped.

Governor Surjadi Soedirja reminded citizens to conduct prayers in their respective religions for the late First Lady and her family. Mass prayers at mosques are to be held on May 3, the fifth day after Ibu Tien passed away. (yns/anr)