Increase in Idul Fitri cards expected<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city office of the state-owned postal
\nservice company, PT Pos Indonesia, has predicted a significant
\nincrease in demand during Idul Fitri following the government's
\ncall to limit spending during the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
In terms of letters, for instance, the company has estimated
\nit will receive up to 37 million letters in the weeks before and
\nafter the post-fasting holiday.<\/p>\n
This represents a 27.58 percent increase compared to last
\nyear's Idul Fitri load of 29 million letters, spokesman Bang Bang
\nSuherman told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
The letters, to be sent locally and overseas, are expected to
\ninclude greeting cards and personal, business and government
\nletters.<\/p>\n
"We're also expecting to deliver a total of Rp 25 billion
\nmoney orders this Idul Fitri season, which is also higher than
\nlast year's Rp 21 billion."<\/p>\n
Suherman said the estimations were based on the government's
\ncall for people to be thrifty and not to go for unnecessary
\nholidays during the economic downturn.<\/p>\n
"People will choose to save their money and, if necessary,
\nsend it as a money order for their relatives and business
\npartners.<\/p>\n
The crisis will also encourage people to send cards and
\nletters, instead of expensive parcels and gifts, to express their
\nIdul Fitri greetings," he said.<\/p>\n
The head of Pos Indonesia's Central Jakarta branch, Arief
\nSupriyono, outlined the special services being provided to
\nprevent letters getting lost.<\/p>\n
One of the services, Jejak Lacak (mail tracing), designed to
\nensure the quick, easy and secure handling of mail, started this
\nweek, he said.<\/p>\n
Mail can be monitored via the Internet and will cost Rp 5,000
\nper package, up to a weight of 500 grams.<\/p>\n
For ordinary letters, the price is set at Rp 300 per letter
\nfor up to 50 grams, which will arrive within three to seven days.<\/p>\n
As of yesterday -- less than two weeks before Idul Fitri,
\nlarge crowds were swamping the city's post offices, including
\nthose in Pasar Baru in Central Jakarta and on Jl. Pemuda in East
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Most are sending Idul Fitri greeting cards as well as money to
\nrelatives and business partners.<\/p>\n
Suratno, a customer at Pasar Baru post office, said that it
\nwas easier for him to send money to family members living in his
\nhometown than trying to celebrate Idul Fitri in the village.<\/p>\n
"I only have Rp 150,000... so it's better to mail it rather
\nthan use it for transport to my kampong," he said. (edt)<\/p>",
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