'It's the prayer and the visits that matter'

The post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration, known here as lebaran, has been somewhat subdued this year as people come to terms with higher prices for basic necessities following the Oct. 1 fuel price rises. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta people what Idul Fitri means to them against this backdrop.

Badri, 40, is a driver of a city bus plying the route between Kota in West Jakarta and Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta. He lives in Ciputat district, Tangerang:

For me, economic difficulties should not affect our lebaran celebrations because the main things to do are to attend the Idul Fitri prayers in the morning and visit my parents, relatives and neighbors.

My wife can still bake the cakes served on the holiday for visiting neighbors and relatives.

I won't be buying new clothes for my two oldest children as I can only afford to buy them for my 10-year-old youngest son, who this year completed the month-long fast.

I am disappointed that the government increased fuel prices just days before the fasting month. But an ordinary man like myself can only accept the decision because there's nothing I can do to change it.

I only hope that the government will not increase fuel prices again, as reported in the media, as it would cause financial problems for us.

Eman, 35, is an employee of a private sector firm on Jl. Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta. He lives in Cipulir subdistrict in South Jakarta:

I will celebrate lebaran in my hometown of Cirebon (West Java) as it is our tradition to get together with my parents and relatives during Idul Fitri.

I leave for Cirebon on the second day of lebaran to avoid traffic congestion and Lebak Bulus terminal is not so crowded. I plan to spend three days in my hometown.

Of course, I have also been affected by the recent fuel price rises. My lebaran bonus is only enough to buy new clothes for my two children and our fares to Cirebon.

My wife and I aren't buying new clothes this year. But we don't mind that. What I'm really concerned about is that I have no money left to give to my relatives' dozens of children in Cirebon. Previously, we always had gifts for them.

-- The Jakarta Post