Protest dashes retailers' hopes for better business
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.