'I'll be flat broke after Lebaran'

It is amazing to see so many people flocking to bus terminals and railway stations in Jakarta, waiting to depart to their hometowns. For many travelers, returning home for Idul Fitri is the most eagerly anticipated time of the year. They will spend all of their savings and then return to Jakarta to eke out a living. The Jakarta Post talked to some of them.

Tisman, 22, a laborer who has been working for two years in a factory in Rawa Badung, North Jakarta. He is heading for Bima, West Nusa Tenggara:

This is the first I have returned home since I came here to try my luck two years ago. I miss my family in Bima.

I have to put up with the hardships of the trip. I have planned for a long time and I have saved my income for this. Here you can see that I am taking home a lot of luggage, including my television set and new clothes.

I realize that it will be a costly trip for me. Well, I assume it will cost around Rp 1 million for the transportation. I know I will be flat broke after the end of the holiday ... after I return back to the city.

However, I will be back soon to work despite the hard life here. Luckily my salary is based on the regional minimum wage (about Rp 590,000 a month).

I like to be here in Jakarta because I want to learn to be independent. This is the right place, I guess.

Mulyono, 27, a construction worker for three years who lives with his wife in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. He is heading for Pekalongan, Central Java:

I wonder why I should go back to Jakarta while in fact I have to fight hard to survive every day as a bricklayer. I sometimes earn less than Rp 100,000 a week. And, many times I'm flat broke because I also have to support my wife who is jobless.

But if I stay in my hometown, I think life would be even harder for me. There is nothing I could do there but farming. I don't think I could work as a farmer.

So, in between the two kinds of tough life, I prefer to be here. At least, I can still make money everyday despite the meager amount.

I will spend around two weeks in my hometown. Because I have to think soon how to get my money back after spending all my savings during the Idul Fitri celebration.

I don't want anybody from my hometown to come along with me because I don't want them to face a miserable life in Jakarta without any job.

Maryono, 45, has worked at a barber shop in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta for a year. He is heading for Kediri, East Java to visit his two children and wife:

This is the first time for me to go home. Just to get a ticket is difficult and I will have to struggle hard among the flock of passengers who want to get on the train. Besides, I must be careful of ticket scalpers who always try to extort passengers.

However, the longing for my family and relatives has strengthened me to resist the condition here. Otherwise, I will never go home.

I will spend a few days at home with my family before returning to Jakarta to work as usual despite the hardship. I have no other option of having a better job but this, regardless of the small income.

Cholil, 22, a construction worker who has been working for almost seven years. He now works in Karawaci, Tangerang. His family lives in Belitang, South Sumatra:

I want to go home to bring my family new clothes for the Idul Fitri celebration. I myself don't need new attire.

I can get around Rp 200,000 a week. I don't have to pay the rent because my boss provides us with a dorm to live.

Besides, I think the city is the right place where people can earn money. I also think that someday I will move to my hometown when I plan to get married. Now it is the time for me to earn money here.

As soon as I return to Jakarta later, I won't recommend anyone come back with me. I don't want to take the risk by promising a happy and successful life in Jakarta. I know myself how hard life is here.

If there is a friend who asks me about a job here, I would give them a clear picture of living in a big city like Jakarta. I won't give any false promises to anyone.

If they insist on going, it will be better for them to go by themselves. But it will be none of my business.

-- Leo Wahyudi S