As the saying goes, it's the money that counts

As the saying goes, it's the money that counts

JAKARTA (JP): Next time you're invited to a wedding party,
don't bring a present. Its "un-Indonesian," according to an aide
to a cabinet minister.

Give the money you would have spent on the present instead,
said Muhd. Muhtadi, an aide to State Minister of State
Administrative Reform.

"Bringing present for any occasion is an alien tradition. The
Indonesian tradition is to give money," Muhtadi was quoted by the
Antara news agency as saying.

Besides, it's a big waste because very often people bring
unwanted presents which end up piling up and collecting dust, or
being passed on to others for presents.

Money, in turn, will be much more appreciated, he said.

For many people, throwing a wedding party is a costly but
often unavoidable obligation in Indonesia and some have to go
into debt. Giving them presents will not reduce their debts, but
money will, Muhtadi said.

Besides, it is more practical to give money as you don't need
to wrap it, he added. And it's portable.

He noted that Japanese have kept to the tradition of giving
money instead of presents in spite of the onslaught of modern
culture from the West.

Muhtadi's boss, Minister T.B. Silalahi, last year also
suggested that people stop sending expensive congratulatory
bouquets of flowers because it is a huge waste of money. His
suggestion was quickly criticized by flower growers and traders.
(emb)