Celebrating Idul Fitri with concern
JAKARTA (JP): The post-fasting holiday of Idul Fitri is a time for celebration and gathering with relatives for Moslems. But has the acute monetary crisis, the worst in decades, dampened the festive spirit of the faithful? The Jakarta Post reporters look at the blessings to be had amid the hardship.
Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo, minister of forestry: This year's Idul Fitri means more than those in past years because we will celebrate it in the middle of the economic crisis.
I will celebrate it in a more modest way.
Because of the crisis, more and more people have suffered. They might not be as lucky as I am, who, as a minister, still can afford to buy good meals. A lot of people might not be able to buy proper meals to celebrate Idul Fitri.
I plan to reduce my spending when sending packages to my relations. I used to send a lot of packages to relatives, friends and colleagues. My late wife (who died last August) used to serve a little banquet for our guests. This year, I will spend Lebaran with my children and their families.
My special prayer for Idul Fitri? I will pray to God that our nation will be able to lift itself out of its predicament. I hope our nation will survive the crisis and be able to work as a team.
I also hope God will give me more time to live so I can serve my country better.
Ginandjar Kartasasmita, state minister of national development planning: I have a regular pattern in celebrating Idul Fitri. On the first day, I am in Jakarta, and we pray at the Istiqlal mosque. If Pak Harto holds an open house, I usually go to his residence. Then I visit my mother.
At night, I receive my staff at home. The following day, I go to Sumedang and also to Banjar to visit my father's grave.
I don't think there is a significant difference between Idul Fitri each year, even though we are in crisis now. I have always celebrated Idul Fitri modestly. I don't throw money around.
In my prayers every day I say a special prayer for my parents, for us, for all the people, the Moslems, and for this nation. I pray that we can succeed in overcoming this crisis.
Hayono Isman, state minister of youth affairs and sports: This Idul Fitri is different as it comes during a crisis. We will have to adapt accordingly.
If we hold an open house, I will ask my wife to serve simple dishes. An open house is a must since that's what Idul Fitri is all about, the time to get together and forgive one another.
My personal prayer on this Idul Fitri will be for the crisis to pass soon and the situation to return to normal quickly.
Sutiyoso, Jakarta governor: Jakarta should celebrate Idul Fitri modestly. We can still care for each other. We can still save a little money for alms and charities for needy people.
I urge all Jakartans to be thrifty and modest. Don't hold a glamorous celebrations.
I urge residents to join Idul Fitri celebrations with deep and earnest prayers for the sake of our country.
We will celebrate Idul Fitri with special concern and well- being in mind. A less than extraordinary celebration does not mean we will have less Lebaran reflection.
From the bottom of my heart, I just wish for Jakarta and this nation to be safe from harm. Let's pray together ... pray a lot, because we are facing a serious turbulent time here.
Because it's the festive Idul Fitri season, many people will travel in and out of Jakarta. I say to holidaymakers ... please don't bring back any of your relatives or friends with you. Jakarta is already too crowded. Don't burden the city.
Emil Salim, senior economist and former cabinet minister: During Idul Fitri, I usually visit older members of my family, my older siblings and my aunts.
On the massive layoffs prior to Idul Fitri, I hope this situation will only be temporary. Later we will be able to move faster than now and the situation will improve.
I pray we can be saved from the current situation. The crisis has been very tough, so I wish there won't be any upheaval and that our nation can join hands to overcome this crisis.
It's a different situation compared to the Old Order in the 1960s. During those days, people were of the same social status, there weren't any people who were too rich or too poor. Now, some of them own big factories. That's the difference. So this crisis is more painful than it was 30 years ago.
Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama. (He was interviewed before undergoing treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta): This Idul Fitri, I will be in East Java to receive the bishop of Surabaya, the bishop of Malang and the head of the local Christian church as they will say their wishes for the holiday.
I feel for the people who have been laid off. I think they are the victims of our failing economic strategy. Anyway, all my neighbors are farmers so they have not been affected by the layoffs. They are already very poor.
I have the same prayer each year, that I will be granted salvation, sufficiency and courage.
For this nation, I pray it will be granted benevolence, and that there will be social justice and legal sovereignty.
I have never worn new clothes during Idul Fitri. Now that we are all concerned, we should live with concern. If we are all concerned, should we not conform to it?
Tini Hadad, chairwoman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation: The situation makes me feel sad because people usually celebrate Idul Fitri with a joyful spirit, but now there are workers who have been laid off or do not get their Idul Fitri bonuses. One of my relatives might even lose his job in the pharmacy business.
The crisis has affected my family, as not only the price of food, but even the price of other daily needs, such as soap, have increased. My family never celebrates Idul Fitri by buying expensive things, or even replaces old furniture with new ones. Still, I plan to reduce my shopping lists, especially on food.
I have no special prayer for this Idul Fitri, but, I wish government officials will become a good example for people in celebrating Idul Fitri, such as by not traveling abroad or buying luxurious things, while people suffer during the crisis.
Azrul Azwar, chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association and the International Medical Association: The situation makes me feel concerned. Usually people are happy while preparing to celebrate Idul Fitri, but now it is very different.
Fortunately, for my family, Idul Fitri does not necessarily mean new clothes or feast. Besides, my children have already grown up.
The crisis has had a big impact on my family as I usually contribute alms to the poor. The fluctuation of the rupiah's value against the dollar confuses me.
This Idul Fitri, I have a special prayer, I hope the crisis will pass soon and those who are laid off can work again. And I also hope conglomerates will help the poor.
Saparinah Sadli, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia, head of the university's Women's Studies program, and a member of the National Commission on Human Rights: This year many people will face difficulties. Some have lost their jobs because of the crisis, while everything has become expensive.
For me and my own family, Idul Fitri is the right time to get together and not the time to party. I'm not a wife of a high- ranking official ... I'm only a housewife. But as usual, I will still give my Idul Fitri alms.
My prayer for this Idul Fitri is a very personal matter, but I will pray for the safety of all.
Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party: This year's Idul Fitri celebration is completely full of concern.
About my family's preparation for the celebration, there will not be any significant changes. It's not our habit to buy new clothes just for Idul Fitri.
Thank God we can afford to buy food for the celebration and give religious alms, things that those who have just lost their jobs or are paid low wages cannot afford to do.
People should celebrate this year's Idul Fitri in modesty, humility and simplicity in a familial spirit.
Ayu Azhari, an actress: This is a sad situation. Prices are going up everywhere and I can't imagine how the poor are managing it. Food supplies are supposed to be available, but everybody's short of food. To top it all, everything is expensive. Some stores have closed down, too.
Thankfully I can still set aside 2.5 percent of my income for the poor. I've bought a few clothes for the children and my new baby. We will be visiting my parents' place during Idul Fitri.
Due to the recession, I just hope TV production houses do not close down because the recession is hitting hard everywhere, otherwise we too could be out of a job.
I believe that at this stage, only God can help us. Mankind is the one who created dollars and now it cannot control its own creation. So let the Creator of all creators take charge.
Guruh Soekarnoputra, choreographer and owner of an entertainment agency: This year won't be any different for me because I have always observed Lebaran in a simple way.
After the Idul Fitri prayer, I will join my sisters at the home of Guntur, my oldest brother. We do this every year, from about 9 a.m. to noon. Then I might go to visit my mother's grave.
Then I will head home. In the late afternoon, some friends might come to my house and we'll go out for dinner.
There won't be an open house but my house is always open. And there won't be any new clothes for me because I never buy them just for Lebaran.
Munir, a lawyer with the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI): This will be my first Idul Fitri in Jakarta. The recession has put me off my plan to go my hometown in Surabaya. I will only get two days off and, as you may know, transportation at that time will be more expensive. Some of YLBHI's staff who are from Sumatra have also decided not to go home this year.
At least there is one positive thing we can learn from the recession ... people are forced to moderate their consumption level.
Sukirman, a 55-year-old Idul Fitri cardmaker from Central Jakarta: I just want to live ... I don't think about Idul Fitri as much as I used to because of this difficult situation
Imagine, every Idul Fitri I used to earn Rp 100,000 per day. But these days, I only get Rp 15,000 per day, sometimes without any income to bring home because there are no customers.
I have canceled my plans to go to my hometown in Java. It's better to stay here ... I don't have enough money to give to my relatives there.
Joko, member of the Police Mobile Brigade: The crisis will not change the way my family and I spend Idul Fitri. I will work as usual. You know, people like us never have hope on holidays.
My wife will buy new clothes for our children with whatever money is left.
Maybe we'll buy less new clothes or eat less food, but as far as I am concerned we've always been in a 'recession' long before this current monetary problem occurred. My wish? I just wish I could spend more time with my family on Idul Fitri. For me that's more valuable than all the dollars in the world. I don't care about dollars because I don't have any. I think my family will still be able to celebrate the season in real happiness.
Pontjo Sutowo, owner of Jakarta Hilton Hotel International and chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association:
I realize, because of the crisis, more and more people will suffer. A lot of people might not be able to buy a proper meal or clothes to celebrate Idul Fitri.
Like Islam says: "In worldly matters we should look at people who are less fortunate, while in heavenly matters we should look at people who are better than us." It means if we suffer, there are other people out there who suffer more than us.
Is the crisis going to affect the way I celebrate Idul Fitri? Yes, I will celebrate Idul Fitri in a modest way. I plan to reduce my spending during the celebrations. In past Idul Fitris, I served banquets for my guests. But this year, I will hold a little gathering, not a big celebration.
I don't know if any close friends of mine have been badly affected by the crisis. God willing, the Hilton will not lay off its workers.
I don't have any special prayer for Idul Fitri. But I will pray to God that our nation will be able to overcome its present economic crisis. I will pray to God that our economic and political conditions will stabilize because unstable conditions are an enemy to the country's tourism.
Endro Utomo Notodisuryo, director general of Electricity and Energy Development: This year's Idul Fitri will be no different from previous ones because we have always led a modest life.
My family is used to live in "crisis" even before the current economic crisis took place. I live in a modest house owned by state electricity company PLN in which I serve as president commissioner.
We are going to celebrate Idul Fitri as modestly as we have always done.
This Idul Fitri holiday will cause me and my family to deeply reflect on the future of our beloved country. (team)