'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.