Postal firm busy ahead of Idul Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): The amount of money that has been sent out of the city by state-owned postal company PT Pos Indonesia through money orders seven days ahead of the Idul Fitri holiday quadrupled to Rp 40 billion (US$5.33 million) from only Rp 10 billion in the same period last year, an official said.

Bangbang Suherman, the company's spokesman, said on Tuesday that the large increase was possibly caused by fear over the rising trend of crimes.

"People are afraid nowadays to carry money with them on the streets. They would rather send it via the postal service," Bangbang said.

Bangbang said that the company's 335 postal service offices in Greater Jakarta had been inundated since late last month with city residents intending to send express mail and presents.

"The number of letters sent out of Greater Jakarta reached a peak of about 24 million seven days ahead of Idul Fitri, up from 20 million last year," Bangbang said.

"The number of packages sent in the same period reached 60,000, up from 35,000 last year," he added. (ylt)