Sat, 16 Aug 2003

Independence Day benefits palm sellers

Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

For Andhika, the upcoming Independence Day celebrations will mean competitions. But unlike in previous years, where he took part in a sack race, this time he only wants to participate in panjat pinang (betel palm tree climbing), a competition that is held only to celebrate the country's big day.

"There was a bike on the tree last year. I want to win the prize too. Is there a TV?" the boy, who lives in Tangerang, asked his mother.

But she told him that it would not be easy for a five-year-old boy as the tree is usually smeared with lubricant, making it very slippery and difficult, even for adults, to reach the top.

Not to mention that the tree used for such a climb must be at least seven meters high, with a diameter of 13 centimeters.

Buying the tree last week was expensive, as many neighborhoods will stage such a competition to commemorate the country's 58th Independence Day.

Take a look, for example, at Yayan, a betel palm tree vendor on Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.

He buys trees for at least Rp 75,000 (US$8.70) each, depending on their height.

After the trunks are smoothed down for two hours -- Yayan usually carries out the process from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the help of friends -- the trees are ready for sale.

He sells each tree at Rp 200,000 to Rp 350,000, depending on its height.

"Buyers can still bargain. Sometimes I offer a discount if they buy more than one tree," Yayan said, adding that there would be no additional charge for transporting the tree by pickup if the location were nearby.

Yayan said that so far he had received orders from customers in Palmerah, Simprug and Cipulir, all in South Jakarta.

"My target is to sell 40 trees but I don't know if I'll sell them all. People started to buy the trees a week prior to the celebration. I already have people booking the trees from Bintaro, Permata Hijau and even Cisarua, Bogor," he said.

Entering the betel palm tree business is not at all easy, as trees needs at least seven years to reach a height sufficient for climbing competitions.

"The older the trees become, the higher they get and the more suitable they are for climbing. It's not really that easy to take care of them," said the man who started the business in 1997.

Fendy, another vendor in Pasar Jumat, South Jakarta, sells the trees at Rp 300,000 to Rp 400,000.

"The price depends on the tree's height and diameter. This year I plan to sell only 20 trees, fewer than last year's 30. I don't want to be too ambitious, as there are now more competitors in the business," said Fendy, who started out three years ago.

Both Yayan and Fendy bought the trees in Bogor.

Unlike Yayan, who was willing to reveal the price at which he bought the trees from farmers, Fendy was tight-lipped about it.

As Independence Day is only a day away, people in neighborhoods have geared up for the celebration and some have already erected their trees. Children like Andhika will try hard to reach the top of the greasy trunk for those highly sought- after prizes.