Cirebon flag sellers upbeat as Independence Day nears

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon

Most Indonesians celebrate Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17, by raising the red and white national flag, giving the day extra importance for the flag sellers who count on the yearly celebrations to make extra money.

In Cirebon alone, at least 30 flag sellers can be found on the sidewalks or in empty spaces along the streets, making do with the trees for shelter against the sun. They attach strings to the trees and neatly arrange their flags for potential buyers. Some of the sellers will make up to Rp 7.5 million (US$800) in the 15 days leading up to Independence Day, a significant amount of money for most Indonesians.

Besides the considerable profit, selling flags can also create jobs. Sellers usually employ workers to assist them with the business, paying them up to Rp 300,000 for a two-week stint.

According to a flag seller from Cicapar village in Garut regency, Rudi Hermanto, 36, he usually sells flags for the two weeks prior to Aug. 17. He has been selling flags in Cirebon for the past three years, and before that he used to sell flags from city to city.

"I used to sell flags in different cities, from Jakarta to Semarang. But for the past three years, I've been selling flags in Cirebon. Sales are good and stable," said Rudi.

Rudi usually starts selling flags two weeks ahead of the independence celebrations, with the last five days before Aug. 17 being the busiest.

Rudi employs several workers to assist him. He has opened five kiosks, two on Jl. Cipto Mangunkusumo, two on Jl. Kesambi and one on Jl. Siliwangi. Each of the kiosks is attended by one worker whom he pays Rp 300,000 for two weeks.

"I recruited five workers. I also provide them with sales bonuses in addition to the Rp 300,000. They can get Rp 1,000 to Rp 2,000 for each flag sold," said Rudi.

Rudi supplies each of the kiosks with 1,000 flags during the two weeks of sales.

He makes the flags himself long before the celebrations, spending Rp 3 million to Rp 4 million for working capital.

"I save up the working capital by taking any job I am offered when I am not selling flags, from working on farms, selling vegetables to working construction," said Rudi.

He sells each flag for between Rp 8,000 and Rp 10,000. But when business is really bustling, he can sell a flag for Rp 12,500.

"I make a profit of between Rp 5,000 to Rp 8,000 from each flag sold because it only costs Rp 3,000 to Rp 4,000 to make each flag. I usually produce standard-size flags measuring 90 centimeters by 60 centimeters, because they are the most in demand," said Rudi.

Besides flags, Rudi also sells bamboo poles to put up the flags. Every pole measures four meters long and has been painted red and white. He buys them straight from a bamboo farmer in Sumber district, Cirebon.

He buys each pole for between Rp 2,500 to Rp 3,000 and sells them for Rp 4,500 to Rp 5,500 each. He stocks 500 bamboo poles for the two weeks he is in business.

Rudi said he could sell at least 80 flags and 30 poles per day. "And all the flags and bamboo poles that I bring are usually sold out a day before the Aug. 17 celebrations," he said.

Rudi said he makes a nice profit even after deducting his working capital and transportation and meal allowances for his workers.

"I can save up for my child's education," said Rudi, whose wife and three-year-old daughter live in Garut.

For Rudi, the Independence Day celebrations are not merely a time to remember the struggle for freedom from colonial rule, but also an opportunity to make a living.

"What is wrong with working while remembering Independence Day?" he asked.