Unrest rumors fail to trigger foreign flight

Unrest rumors fail to trigger foreign flight

JAKARTA (JP): Travel industry insiders said on Thursday there
had been no exodus to foreign destinations despite widespread
rumors of unrest before the Special Session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) opening on Nov. 10.

The number of outbound travelers displayed no unusual
characteristics in recent days, they said.

"There is no significant increase in the number of outbound
travelers this week," said the director of Iwata Tour and Travel
Agency, Meity Robot, who is also the head of the Jakarta chapter
of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies
(Asita).

Satriavi Tours and Travel's marketing manager Netty Djohan
also told The Jakarta Post there had been no developments in the
past few days.

"I don't think there will be a massive exodus during MPR's
Special Session. Today is already Thursday, but there is still no
sharp increase."

The MPR, whose members were appointed during the Soeharto era,
will convene in a four-day session to prepare legislation for a
general election expected in May next year. But students and
leaders of most political parties established following
Soeharto's resignation have expressed opposition to the session,
claiming it will merely rubber-stamp the agenda of the ruling
Golkar political grouping.

They have threatened to organize massive rallies to protest
the session.

The government has mobilized hundreds of thousands of army
troops, police and volunteers for the event.

Observers have warned that opposition and progovernment forces
could clash and ignite bloody riots similar to those which rocked
the capital and other major cities in May.

Many Jakarta residents scrambled to flee to foreign cities or
domestic safe havens like Bali during the riots.

Ramantha Tours and Travel reported a slight increase in the
sales of international tickets.

"Usually we sell about 10 tickets per day, but since Tuesday
it has increased to between 15 and 18 tickets per day,"
international ticketing agent Maria said, terming the increase as
within the normal range.

Singapore Airlines administration and public relations manager
Susie Charma also confirmed that passenger reservations remained
normal.

"There is no rush to buy tickets. Our planes' seats are still
available through Monday's flights," Susie said, referring to the
last date with available data. (gis)