TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta residents planning to celebrate the Eid Eve at the National Monument (Monas) Park will have to do so somewhere else, as the park's management has decided to close it for tonight. No one is allowed to enter the park to hold celebrations there.
"No takbiran activities are allowed in Monas," Munjirin, the park's Head of Technical Management Unit said on Thursday, June 14, 2018.
"It's been that way for years," Munjrin added.
Munjirin said the area is closed starting from 4:00 PM Jakarta time. Around 60 guards will secure the area.
"On Eid Day, Monas will be opened from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM," he stated.
The areas around Monas looked quiet today with almost no visitors seen and most shops closed.
"Usually, it gets crowded again two days after the Eid," said Ade Wirawan, one of the area's vendors.
Earlier, Jakarta Metro Police spokesman Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono said the police will hold an afternoon assembly at the courtyard of the Traffic Police's Directorate. The police force will be briefed to prepare for tonight's duty, which is to secure the capital.
LANI DIANA