'Lebaran' no big deal for security guards

'Lebaran' no big deal for security guards

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Idul Fitri was just another day in the lives of security guards
Achmad and Nasor, who provide security at the Taman Permata
Bintaro housing estate in Tangerang, Banten.

"The only difference was that we started working a little
later because of the Idul Fitri prayers," said Nasor, who lives
in nearby Perigi Lama, Tangerang.

With Idul Fitri being the most important holiday in the Muslim
calendar, people usually take leave from work to return to their
hometowns. This year, approximately 2.5 million people were
believed to have left Jakarta to celebrate Idul Fitri with their
extended families back home.

But there are those who -- because of the nature of their jobs
-- were forced to stay in the capital, and even put in the usual
hours at work over Idul Fitri.

Achmad, for example, said that he has not had leave during
Idul Fitri for the last six years.

"Not for Idul Fitri, because security is usually tightened
during the holiday," he said, explaining that despite having to
work during the holiday, the native Betawi considered himself
lucky as his family lived nearby.

Achmad's partner, Nasor, said that after the Idul Fitri
prayers in the morning, he and his family would usually visit the
graves of grandparents. But there would be no time for chitchat
with visiting relatives as the nightwatchmen were waiting for
their turns to go off duty.

"It's no use complaining, duty is duty," he said.

Yasin, a customer service officer in the Kelapa Gading Mall in
North Jakarta, said that this year he only had the first day of
Idul Fitri off, but had to return to work the next day.

"The mall's management wants all operational staff to work
during Idul Fitri as the number of shoppers on those two days is
usually quite high," he told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

The Bogor resident said that usually after Idul Fitri prayers,
he and his parents would visit their grandparents and relatives.

Working while others are at play is also the lot of those who
bringing the daily news to the public.

Warta Kota journalist Merdi Iskandar said that the last Idul
Fitri he was able to fully enjoy was two years ago, explaining
that on other years he usually worked on the second day of Idul
Fitri.

"It's lonely work. While others are enjoying meals with the
family, I'm typing away at the office," he said.

The native of West Sumatra explained that Idul Fitri was a big
celebration in his family, and that on both days there would
usually be big family gatherings, first at his father's family
home and then on the second day at his mother's family home.

"Of course, I take flak from relatives as I have to go off to
work right after lunch during a family gathering, but by and by
they have gotten used to it," Merdi explained.

This year, though, he was fortunate to have both the first and
second days of Idul Fitri off.

But while others are still enjoying their extended holiday,
Merdi is already back at the office making sure there's a
newspaper tomorrow.