T

he usually boisterous festivities to usher in the New Year were tempered by the recent demise of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, with some people opting to spend the night in quiet contemplation.

In Makassar, as crowds thronged to the two main draws of Losari Beach and Tanjung Bunga from Thursday afternoon to watch the fireworks after the countdown, others chose to attend a communal prayer for the dead, in honor of the country's fourth president.

Prayers were held at the South Sulawesi governor's residence, Makassar Tower and several mosques.

In Morowali, Central Sulawesi, New Year's Eve celebrations were marred by the shooting death of local resident H. Amir.

Central Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Muhammad Amin Saleh said his officers were on the trail of the gunman, who was believed to have fled into an oil palm plantation.

"The suspect is Poso resident Uli Gani," he said, adding there was no apparent motive for the shooting.

In Bali, the police announced they had received no bomb threats on New Year's Eve, but urged the public to exercise caution.

Bali Police chief Insp. Gen. Sutisna made the announcement following a US government alert to its citizens about possible bomb attacks in Bali over the New Year holiday.

"It's the US government's prerogative to issue a warning to protect its citizen from any terrorist attacks," Sutisna said.

"However, our intelligence reports indicate there are no attacks being planned."

In Pasuruan, East Java, residents were forced to tone down their celebrations after Mayor Aminurrokhman scrapped a scheduled concert and warned residents against taking part in motorcades.

A wayang show was the only event permitted, with a moment of silence to remember Gus Dur.

In Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono paid a surprise visit to the National Police headquarters to thank the force for maintaining security over the Christmas and New Year festivities all over Indonesia.

"I'm grateful for all your efforts to safeguard the public during Christmas and New Year," he said as quoted by Antara.

Yudhoyono also called on police chiefs nationwide to reward their officers involved in the recently concluded operations.

Yudhoyono then visited Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta.

There, he touted his administration's hard work to improve citizens' welfare.

"I hope for a better future for all of us," the President said.

"To those who are studying, study better; to those who are working, work better."