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

'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