When the best time for visitors should come to Jakarta to enjoy traffic-jam free? They may visit Jakarta around the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr, the Moslem most venerated day when almost 7 out of 12 million of its residents make an exodus to their hometown or village.
Indonesia may be a unique country which has a tradition for people to ask for pardon to each other on the celebration day, especially from the younger to the elders. To do that, as more than half of Jakarta residents originated from the countryside, they have to travel back to their native village as most of their parents and relatives stay there.
This year Eid-al-Fitr celebration fell on August 31 which arose controversy on its late stipulated date by the government. Most people had already prepared to celebrate the venerated day on August 30 as concordance with the public holiday stated in the calendar and were very surprised with such decision.
During the period of two days before and after the celebration, Jakarta resembled a deserted city. People who stayed in the city during this period might enjoy driving around downtown easily. The roads were almost free from any public and private transport as those who went to the countryside brought with them their own car or motorcycle.
However, contrary to the deserted roads, the amusement centers like Ancol Coastal and Indonesian Miniature Parks as well as Ragunan Zoo were flooded with citizens who stayed in the city and visitors coming from outside the city. During the last few days, the zoo already registered around 750,000 visitors.
In a certain degree, exodus caused problems for many families who stayed in the city, especially those who had hired the housemaids to do household chores. The housewives had to take over all duties of the housemaids and often went outside with their whole family for having lunch and dinner. And because of this reason, people were crowded in the hyper-marts and malls.
The exodus also made most of the houses empty and only some big houses were guarded by the security. The district heads always reminded the citizens to report their departure so they could keep eyes on their houses. Some districts even asked the staying residents to help guard the area, especially on the weekend.
For the city government, it was a good time for them to topple down empty illegal huts and stalls temporarily left by the owner. They were also used to screen the poor newcomers who came together with their residential relatives seeking the opportunity of getting the job. However, the past experience indicates that such governmental prevention has been unsuccessful and ineffective.
We wish you a happy Eid-al-Fitr!
