'Krismon' forces change in habits
'Krismon' forces change in habits
The prolonged monetary crisis (krismon) has forced people from
all walks of life both in big cities and quiet villages to change
their lifestyles. Even those who are normally thrifty need to
take extreme care. Others who are in the habit of throwing money
around are finding the lengthy monetary crisis a priceless time
for introspection. The Jakarta Post's K. Basrie, Yogita Tahil
Ramani and Imanuddin talk to people about their personal
experiences in dealing with this tough time. Below is their
report.
JAKARTA (JP): In the midst of such grave hardship, those who
habitually save for a rainy day might be able to step ahead
naturally without any aches or pains.
But the political uncertainties and the seemingly endless
financial crisis in the country leave gaping questions for all:
When will this "rainy" season end? Will our savings last?
Considered the worst ever monetary crisis, the krismon
suddenly turned the world of many people upside down, and it is
showing no signs of lessening its grip on people's lives.
Many predict that it will become even bleaker in the next few
weeks as festive days, such as Ramadhan, Christmas, New Year and
Idul Fitri, approach.
For months, many people have tried to be as economical as
possible in order to survive.
No more imported perfume or imported cosmetics, top-class
apparel or regular visits to beauty salons, private doctors,
discotheques, cafes or restaurants.
There is no more valid reason to take a first-class trip or to
go for an expensive holiday.
This astounding phenomenon has been generated by the long-
standing problems casting a shadow on the way of life for most
Indonesians.
The weakening rupiah, the escalating prices of local goods and
services, the scant business opportunities and sluggish buying
power have pushed people, especially those in big cities, to
drastically change their consumptive attitude.
"It's time to reform the way we (my family) spend money,"
commented Ari Sudarsono, a noted television sports host.
The unfriendly financial situation has also forced his family
to extremely cut down on their spending.
Ari himself has stopped treating friends and spending money in
cafes. "It's totally over!"
He has also stopped using premix gasoline in his car. At Rp
1,000 a liter for premium, he is saving Rp 300 a liter by using
the leaded variety.
He has also asked his family to make do with the clothes they
have instead of buying new ones.
"We have to slowly learn how not to get bored using the same
old clothes," Ari said.
"We now use body sprays instead of perfume. So, if you don't
like my odor, so please go away," he said.
Political analyst Arbi Sanit is also on the same track.
"I have completely stopped all unnecessary monthly
expenditures, such as those for recreation, cinema and video
rentals," he said.
His family also has learned to lessen their monthly spending
by consuming cheaper food.
"We used to have rojo lele (considerably the most luxurious
rice) at home. But, not anymore. We eat cheaper rice," Arbi said.
"We consume lower quality meals, but maintain the same
portions," he added, laughing.
A lecturer at the University of Indonesia's School of Social
and Political Sciences, he buys less books.
"I'll buy books only if they are thin and cheap, but I'll have
them photo copied if they are thick and expensive," he said.
According to the World Bank country director for Indonesia,
Dennis de Tray, the krismon has hit the emerging middle class the
hardest, with average household expenditure in urban areas
declining by more than 30 percent.
It "is mainly an urban and Java phenomenon", de Tray said at
the recent Indonesia Forum here.
Pop singer Yana Julio used to treat friends to dinner,
spending hundreds of thousands of rupiah. Now he considers it a
"useless" pastime.
"Now I dine at home. Sometimes, I call my friends to join me
for meals," Yana said.
In terms of clothing, Yana, a fanatic of branded garments, is
learning to cope with his tighter budget.
"All I do now is take my old clothes, go to a really great
tailor and have them altered," he said.
Rima Melati, a legendary actress currently in Bali on
business, said the krismon had altered her taste in shoes from
Swiss made Bally shoes to locally made shoes, something she had
never bought before.
"Today, I buy local shoes, something I would never consider
before," she said.
The krismon also taught many fathers for the first time in
their lives about the prices of household items.
"As a man, I never knew the price of, for example, rice or
tissue paper, until I learned that my family spent a lot on those
things," commented bodyguard to celebrities Erby.
He said the situation had also separated him from his friends
as he could no longer afford move in the same circles.
"It's really bad. But I have no choice. This unfriendly
atmosphere has forced me to radically change my lifestyle," he
said.
For Dian Syarif, an executive of Bank Bali, the crisis has
forced her to temporarily stop eating out.
The hardship has also made her put on hold any spending on
cosmetics.
"At the moment, I just use my remaining stock, hoping that the
crisis will end soon," she said.
Dewi Widiyanti, PR manger at Hilton Hotel, has drastically cut
her expenditure on many items, from cosmetics to entertainment to
cellular phone usage.
"The main problem for me is toiletries, such as shampoo and
cosmetics as their prices have risen three to four times," she
said.
Her other efficiency measures include cutting back on visits
to cafes or coffee shops and holidays.
Lulu Dewayanti, a model and co-owner of Look Models. Inc., has
taken the same road.
For her, there is no more bills for cafes, discotheques and
Armani, Valentino and Dolce Gabbana clothes.
"I used to go to discos like Zanzibar on weekends, but not
anymore," Lulu said.
And she has started buying cheaper clothes.
"If it looks good and costs, say, Rp 60,000 a piece, I'll buy
it," she said.
Senior film and stage actor Didi Petet said he had to ask for
the understanding of his five children, who love wearing clothes
available at a particular shop in Kuta, Bali, which charges in
U.S. dollars.
"I told my kids, please do not expect clothes from that shop
again since the prices have risen 400 percent.
"I told them that I would buy them clothes from that shop only
when the dollar reaches Rp 5,000," Didi said.
A recent survey conducted by four local institutions revealed
that more than two-thirds of Indonesians have stopped spending
money on imported fruit, cheese, soft drinks and magazines, fast
food restaurants, cinema tickets and beauty treatments.
The survey published in July's issue of Cakram advertising
magazine also stated that about half of the people now opt to
watch TV at home. Many have also turned to God.
That is why many see the ailing condition as a new lease on
life.
Ari said: "My family and I have learned a lot from the crisis.
Realize it or not, I think God wants to teach a lesson to the
people."
Lulu says she has finally learned to save for a rainy day.
What about those who benefit during the crisis by being paid
in U.S. dollars?
"It teaches me for the first time how to share our wealth with
the poor. For example, I never thought of donating sembako (basic
commodities) to others until this crisis," furniture exporter
Yati Meliala Coopers said.
Anyway, there must be light at the end of the tunnel. At the
moment, let's see it through with kindness in our hearts. (team)