Many Batam-ites forced to cancel Idul Fitri trips to hometowns

Many Batam-ites forced to cancel Idul Fitri trips to hometowns

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

Suyanto, a supervisor at an electronics assembly factory,
explained that he had to cancel his plan to return to his home
town for Idul Fitri, as has been his normal custom.

The transportation costs have become more expensive since the
government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1. As rising inflation has
prevented him from going to Medan, he said he would have to
settle for calling his family during the holidays. "I am a bit
disappointed as I had planned the trip a long time ago," said
Suyanto, a father of two.

Suyanto had saved up approximately Rp 5 million (US$500) for
the trip, but decided that he should save the money to cushion
the impact of the rising price of basic foodstuffs and commuting
expenses.

"The price of goods has been on the rise since the government
raised the fuel prices. I have to prepare for the worst," said
Suyanto.

Many other Batam residents are also facing a similar
situation. Anas, the manager of the Novotel Hotel in Batam, said
normally dozens of his 200 employees at the hotel requested
holiday time off around Idul Fitri, but this year, just a few had
asked to take leave to return to their home villages. "It is good
for the company as we can keep up our productivity," admitted
Anas.

The transportation fares have been on the rise since the
government announced fuel price hikes on Oct. 1. The price
increases also fluctuate between different provinces. Some have
raised the transportation fare about 20 percent, but other local
administrations have raised the transportation fare as high as
100 percent, including Batam municipality.

The increase in inner city transportation fares has affected
rates for intercity transportation fares also, including those
between Batam and Medan.