'Nothing special in Jakarta Great Sale'

The Jakarta Great Sale, which was launched by Governor Sutiyoso almost a month ago, will conclude this Sunday. But many Jakartans were not even aware of the one-month event, which was held in celebration of the city's 475th anniversary. We asked some people for their opinions on this issue:

Camelia, 28, an accountant who works at a company on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She lives in Setiabudi, also South Jakarta.

"I don't see any significant differences between the Jakarta Great Sale and any other sales here, such as year-end sales or mid-year sales. Some department stores offer 70 percent discounts, of course, but the (sale) items are not that good.

It wouldn't be fair to compare the Jakarta Great Sale with similar programs in Singapore or Malaysia, because the organizers here don't yet have sufficient experience.

In fact, if they work harder, the Jakarta Great Sale could attract local and foreign tourists to the city. But I don't think this will happen in the near future. They must work really hard to make it happen."

Sasono, 24, an employee at a private company on Jl. Panglima Polim, South Jakarta. He lives in the Bintaro Jaya housing complex in Tangerang regency, Banten province.

"Great Sale? No, I don't know about it. Which outlets are offering great sales? I believe there are price discounts, but I never buy things on sale because the discounts are never significant.

For clothes, I usually buy 'export leftovers' in shopping malls like Bintaro Plaza. I am not so interested in buying discounted goods."

Hendro Ismoyojati, 29, an employee at a financial firm on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta. He has lived in Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, since 1997.

"Oh, I've just heard about that from you. I saw lots of discounts being offered at many malls and shopping centers, but I have not seen any difference from other sales. I thought it was just part of the school vacation special packages.

Besides, I have not seen any eye-catching or big announcements (from the malls) that the discounts are in celebration of Jakarta's anniversary.

I have enjoyed the discounts anyway, because almost every weekend my family goes to the mall to shop or just to walk around. Last week, for instance, I bought a T-shirt and a shirt that were on sale at the mall."

Gloria Artalina S., an employee at a private company on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, with her six brothers.

"Frankly speaking, the Jakarta Great Sale has not really interested me. I don't know why, but it just seems to be so boring and nothing really special. Besides, I am not addicted to shopping.

Whether there is a sale or not, I only go shopping if I need to buy something.

If I want something I don't have to wait for a sale. In my opinion, it is the item that counts not the sale.

In general, I can see that people are fed up with all these sales, especially in Greater Jakarta. So they don't attract shoppers. Sale won't make any difference because the quality of an item is more important than the price."

Emmy ST Margaretha, 45, an activist for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). She lives in Kembangan, West Jakarta.

"I know the Jakarta Great Sale is held in conjunction with Jakarta's 475th anniversary. This annual event is good and should be continued.

I admit that I haven't bought anything this month during the Great Sale. Besides, shopping is not my 'hobby'. I have to spend my money on more important things.

Lots of my friends have made the best of the event to buy things they needed. It was very helpful because they were able to buy these things at discounted prices." --JP