By: Masayu Yulien Vinanda

Jakarta (27/03)-Although rain showered Jakarta, hundreds of people from environmentalists , communities, and Jakartans were still enthusiastic celebrating the Earth Hour kick-off event held in Monas (National Monument) complex, Central Jakarta, this evening.
The Jakarta symbolic light-out celebration taking place in the front side of the Monas fountain was led by Jakarta Deputy Governor Prijanto. WWF-Indonesia Board of Trustees, The Australian Ambassador Bill Farmer, Presidential Climate Change Adviser Agus Purnomo, some representatives from neighboring countries, and Earth Hour corporate partners gathered at the stage witnessing the lights-out procession starting at 8.30pm.
As the time for Earth Hour approached, and the digital clock displayed in the big screen next to the stage signaled the moment, the environmentalists flooded in the Fountain Park of National Monument. A percussion group named “Tetabuhan Lorong” accompanied them dancing around while calling for energy saving.
Around the stage, 60 candles forming number of “60” representing 60-minute black out and lanterns with many colours forming “Jakarta” were displayed.
“I expect Jakarta participation in this EarthHour 2010 can make Jakarta better in terms of efficiency and energy saving as well as in response to tackle climate change,” Prijanto said just before the Earth Hour count down started.
Furthermore, he expected that the citizens can develop this energy saving pattern in their life. Hence, it wouldn’t be a one-day movement but also contribute to promote energy-efficiency lifestyle. Meanwhile, Chairman of WWF Indonesia Board, Kemal Stamboel said that Earth Hour campaign is about showing that citizens, business, and government can do much to create a better world by collectively exhibiting the simple and inexpensive behaviour (flicking the switch, turning appliances off stand-by) with awareness.

For an hour, Earth Hour participants in Monas were entertained by environmentally friendly musical performances for instance choir by Percontohan 12 State Elementary School Benhil, acoustic performance by Katon-Nugie and a cappella music by Jamaica Café.
This year, Jakarta administration showed its commitment for the second time by turning off five iconic buildings of Jakarta. They were Hotel Indonesia traffic circle (‘Selamat Datang’ Tower), the National Monument ‘Monas’ and its fountain, City Hall Building and government buildings, Pemuda Statue, and Arjuna Wiwaha Statue. Numbers of governmental offices also went dark for Earth Hour.

This campaign also gained support from business players. Until 27 March at 8.00 pm, there were more than 170 high rise buildings in Sudirman-Thamrin-Kuningan-Gatot Subroto have mentioned their commitment to turn off their lights during Earth Hour.
After the lights on, Jakarta Deputy Governor Prijanto said that the voluntary lights-out action for 60 minutes had succeeded to save 80 MW energy in Java-Bali. This showed that Earth Hour 2010 has recorded progress of public participation comparing to last year. In Earth Hour 2009, Indonesia saved energy for 50 MW.