'Inul' pencil in demand

JAKARTA: Rubber pencils called "Inul" pencils, in reference to dangdut sensation Inul Daratista, are the hottest-selling item in the capital.

"In one day, I can sell more than 50 pencils," Ujang, an "Inul" pencil vendor on the train connecting Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta and Serpong in Tangerang, told Antara on Sunday, adding that on his train alone there were at least four pencil vendors.

Ujang used to sell newspapers on the train, but temporarily switched "because the market for Inul pencils is on the rise."

The pencil sways while in use, which is said to be similar to Inul's gyrating dance on stage. The pencil can also be bent into a circle. It can be sharpened using a common pencil sharpener and has an eraser at one end.

The pencil is sold for Rp 1,000 (11 US cents) each, but the shorter ones -- which are usually sold to school students -- sell for Rp 500 each, said Hatta, an "Inul" pencil vendor outside elementary school SD Pembangunan IAIN in Ciputat, South Jakarta. -- JP