JAKARTA, Indonesia / The Jakarta Post / Headlines / September 17, 2009
Cash handouts hike Idul Fitri expenses
Most Jakartans will be digging deep into their pockets to celebrate the long-awaited Idul Fitri in their hometowns, as they will have to factor in cash handouts for their families back home on top of already steep travel expenses.
"You need at least Rp 2 million *US$200* in hand when you go back to your hometown," Aji Notonegoro, an ojek or motorcycle driver who works in Tebet, South Jakarta, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Aji's travel costs to go back to his hometown in Pekalongan, Central Java, only amount to Rp 500,000, but he said he would have to hand out a lot more to his relatives there.
"It is a tradition in my hometown for the elderly to hand out money to their younger relatives during Idul Fitri," Aji said.
With a large number of relatives back home, Aji has to save at least Rp 1 million for those cash handouts. The amount, he said, is quite intimidating, given he only makes around Rp 50,000 a day.
"I usually save up around Rp 200,000 a month to prepare for my trip home, but I haven't saved much this year, so I am not sure I will make the trip," Aji said.
Irni Sari, a housewife in Bukit Duri, South Jakarta, also has to save for an extended period of time. Irni, whose husband works as religious book seller, said one had to prepare well in advance for the Idul Fitri exodus. "You have to prepare a year ahead. So basically you start saving right after you come back from your trip for the next Idul Fitri," she said. This year, Irni, her husband and their two children will travel in a minivan with their relatives to their hometown in Pemalang, Central Java. The family has also saved over Rp 1 million to give away to their younger relatives. "In Pemalang, the custom of handing out money is called micing," Irni said, smiling. Jakarta's more fortunate residents usually give away larger amounts to their folks back home.
IT'S A WRAP: Yayang, a gift basket venfor in Cikini, Central Jakarta, wraps a typical bundle in his kiosk. He sells this basket of snacks for Rp 265,000 (US$28). (File photo JP/Triwik Kurniasari) Wawan Setyonugroho, who works in a pharmaceutical company, said that his family spent over Rp 15 million during Idul Fitri. "I have prepared almost Rp 3 million to hand out to my younger relatives in Ngawi *East Java*," Wawan said.
His father usually gives away Rp 6 million, and his older brother also contributes a significant amount of money to the occasion, he explained. "We give money to the younger relatives of course, but we also contribute to the local orphanage and the elderly there," Wawan said. Jamen, 22, who works as a nanny in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, said she had to anticipate other expenses besides cash handouts.
"Sometimes, we have to contribute to the construction of a new mosque in the village. "People think we are well off just because we work in Jakarta," she said. This year, she will bring savings of Rp 6 million back to her hometown in Banjarnegara, Central Java.
"I have prepared small change in Rp 1,000 and Rp 2,000 new bank notes worth Rp 400,000 just for handouts." [rc]
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