'Actresses also affected by price increases'<\/p>\n
The increasing fuel prices and utility rates affect not only the
\nlow-income people, but also many others from all walks of life,
\nincluding celebrities. The Jakarta Post talked to some actresses
\nabout the impact of the hike.<\/p>\n
Nurul Arifin, 36, an actress and anti-AIDS activist. She
\nresides in Cinere, South Jakarta, with her husband and two
\nchildren:<\/p>\n
I feel the impact of the fuel price and utility rate hikes
\ndespite my status as an actress. I'm also a housewife who has to
\nmanage the household finances.<\/p>\n
Now I have to spend more than Rp 50,000 a day to cover the
\ncost of daily staple foods for my family. Previously, it was far
\nless than that.<\/p>\n
Telephone rates and electricity increases in fact have
\nburdened me more. Before the hike, I paid around Rp 800,000 a
\nmonth for electricity, but after the increase, I will have to pay
\nmore than Rp 900,000 a month.<\/p>\n
But I don't have any problem with fuel for my cars.<\/p>\n
Being an actress is just a bunch temporary jobs which means
\nthat my income is greatly based on job orders. So, it does not
\nmean that actresses are not affected by the economic slump.<\/p>\n
But I can understand how the low-income people should suffer
\nmore from such condition. I guess, as part of my concern, I have
\nto increase the salaries of my five servants.<\/p>\n
I will support the "people power" movement if the government
\nremains inactive (to help the poor). Personally, I hate the
\ngovernment for being arrogant and inattentive to the needs of
\npoor people in the country.<\/p>\n
Ratna Riantiarno, 50, a noted theater artist who resides in
\nBintaro, Tangerang, with her husband, Nano Riantiarno, who is
\nalso an artist, and their three children:<\/p>\n
Honestly I feel the impact of the price increases, because I
\nhave a car which uses diesel.<\/p>\n
My residence is far from my children's schools and most of
\nthem have a lot of extracurricular activities. It means that they
\nwould have spend more for fuel, right?<\/p>\n
In a way, people might think that we are well off. But, in
\nfact, that's not completely true. I'm not a famous star. My
\nhusband and I don't have fixed incomes to support our family.<\/p>\n
So, I also experience the condition similar to the poor
\npeople. Telephone and electricity rate increases are really a
\nburden for us too.<\/p>\n
Therefore, I always tell my children to be more thrifty when
\nusing the telephone and electricity. At least it will teach them
\nthe value of being more economical in such an economic slowdown.<\/p>\n
I just hope that the government can rethink this, particularly
\nas it most affects the poor who are in dire need of affordable
\nstaple foods.<\/p>\n
Ira Wibowo, 35, an actress and television presenter who
\nresides in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, with her husband and
\nthree children:<\/p>\n
Being an actress does not mean that I will not experience the
\nimpact of the higher fuel and utility prices.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, it's true that I'm a bit more fortunate compared to
\nmany low-income people who are suffering miserably from the
\neconomic conditions here.<\/p>\n
The most significant impact for my life is the telephone and
\nelectricity rates. But I don't want to mention the figures in my
\nbills. I think mentioning the amount of my budget is a sensitive
\nmatter, especially in such a time of economic downturn.<\/p>\n
The social discrepancy between the rich and the impoverished
\nmassive indeed.<\/p>\n
I guess the government is not smart enough to make the
\ndecision to raise the prices at a better time. This year will no
\nlonger be a promising year for many people due to the tougher
\nlife.<\/p>\n
I agree that the rich should help the poor people, for
\ninstance by paying their income tax properly and on time. In my
\nbusiness contract, my earnings have always been cut for taxes.
\nHopefully, it is used by our leaders to subsidize the needy.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/actresses-also-affected-by-price-increases-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }