Jakarta residents pack Bundaran HI for city's 499th anniversary celebration

Jakarta residents are flocking to the Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) in Central Jakarta on Saturday to celebrate the peak of the city's 499th anniversary. The area is buzzing with activity as officials conduct sound system checks and prepare the stage. Betawi-themed decorations, including ondel-ondel figures, adorn the venue, with preparations nearly complete.

Traffic has begun to build around Bundaran HI as authorities plan to close the roads from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the main event. Despite the ongoing preparations, many families, like Rohim's from Depok, are already present, enjoying the atmosphere and anticipating musical performances. Ijonk, visiting from West Sumatra, also brought his children to experience the festivities.

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Just to fill the weekend. We want to watch music later. The information is that there are various musicians.

Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, announced traffic diversions for June 27 and 28 to accommodate the anniversary celebrations and Hari Bhayangkara. Key routes including Jalan Bundaran HI, M.H. Thamrin, and Jalan Mas Mansyur will experience closures. On June 28, the usual Car Free Day in Kuningan or Rasuna Said will be canceled to centralize activities along Sudirman and Thamrin.

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Coincidentally, the children are on school break. So I took them on vacation here. While visiting my sibling in Jakarta.