Flag vendors experience slow business

JAKARTA (JP): Although every household in Jakarta is expected to display the national flag for the upcoming Independence Day and decorate their yard accordingly, seasonal business of the so- termed Agustusan is not good so far for the vendors concerned.

The Agustusan business, such as selling the Indonesian flag and flagpoles, usually booms ahead of the celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17 every year.

A number of flag vendors, who have been in the business for years, said on Monday that the seasonal business was usually profitable, and it had even attracted many vendors from other towns.

"I have been here for a week, and so far I've only sold around six flags," 56-years-old Misran told The Jakarta Post at the sidewalk of Jl. Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, where he displayed his merchandise.

Misran and two of his friends, who come from Cirebon, West Java, have come to Jakarta each year during the last few years to sell Independence Day paraphernalia.

"I don't know why there are not many buyers this year. Usually at around this time, we already have lots of buyers," he said.

Back in his home town of Cirebon, he has a number of grandchildren in his care to feed and a debt of Rp 200,000 (US$22.7) he must pay to a food stall.

Last year, he managed to rake in a net profit of Rp 200,000 from selling the red-and-white flags for two weeks.

"I doubt I could make that much this year. I'm lucky just to be able to feed myself every day here," Misran said, adding that the price of a flag ranges from Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000 and a bamboo flag pole is Rp 4,000.

However, Misran has no plans to close the business and return to Cirebon. "I'm trying to be optimistic. Maybe tomorrow will be a lucky day for me," said Misran, who stated that he obtained the flags from Karet Tengsin, Central Jakarta.

Misran's friend, Sarima, 52, who also sells flags at the roadside, said he had been in the seasonal business for the past 10 years.

Sarima, who is a farmer in his hometown Cirebon, claimed to have been able to take home a net profit of Rp 300,000 last year. "But now I don't have many buyers," he said.

Sarima, who got his flags from Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, added that on Monday, until around noon, he had sold not even one bamboo flagpole, although he had tried to peddle them around.

Another flag seller in Boplo market in Central Jakarta, Yani, said business this year is not as good as last year's. Just like his other counterparts, he was unable to see why trade was so slack.

"I'm not sure ... perhaps people have kept the poles and flags they bought last year," said Yani, who, after the Agustusan, usually sells rujak (fruit salad with spicy sauce) in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Asked which of his businesses is more profitable, he said: "People participate in the seasonal business because they hope to be able to make a large amount of money as additional income. But in the long term it's better to have a fixed but regular income, even if it is only a small amount."

Meanwhile, Tisno, another flag seller in front of the Manggala Wanabakti building, South Jakarta, is determined to continue his flag business until Aug. 17, regardless of the gloomy trading conditions.

"That's just how business is. There are good times and also bad times," he said. (06)