Protest dashes retailers' hopes for better business

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The massive anti-U.S. demonstration on Friday shattered the hopes of a more conducive atmosphere which had started to emerge over the past few days among businesspeople.

A number of retailers in the Plaza Indonesia and Sarinah shopping centers in Central Jakarta, who had expressed optimism about an improvement in business just about an hour before the demonstration started, were more pessimistic later in the day.

"I can't say anything ... but I think the rally will have a negative impact on our business," said Mayana, a fashion boutique attendant in Plaza Indonesia.

Her colleague had previously said that business had started to recover as reflected by an increase in the number of visitors.

A Sarinah staffer also expressed his disappointment over the demonstration.

"The protesters don't care about other people's lives," he said.

"I know that the Afghans are suffering nowadays and that staging demonstrations is the protesters' right, but they should also consider our poor economic circumstances," Agus told The Jakarta Post, adding that continuing demonstrations would only harm the country's economy.

About an hour before the demonstration started, many shoppers were to be seen both in Plaza Indonesia and Sarinah. As the rally arrived at the nearby Hotel Indonesia traffic circle at around 1 p.m., the shoppers went outside to watch the demonstration before leaving the area.

Sarinah shopper Sari regretted the "never-ending demonstrations" that had been forcing her to stay home.

"I stayed home all last week since I didn't want to encounter the demonstrators. I thought it was over, but I was wrong," said Sari, who watched the demonstration from the first floor of Sarinah.

Employees of office buildings along Jl. M.H. Thamrin left their work to gaze curiously at the rally from their offices.

Before the demonstration arrived, many people were seen having lunch in McDonald's restaurant in Sarinah, which had been deserted all last week. Among them were several Westerners, while children crowded the play corner.

Some waiters wore the Muslim peci hat, while some waitresses wore Muslim dress. The restaurant was also playing Arabic music as it has been doing ever since the outbreak of anti-U.S. demonstrations here.