Public confusion greets Chinese New Year
Public confusion greets Chinese New Year
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Tuesday is Chinese New Year. Some offices, schools and even
the Jakarta Stock Exchange announced they would be closed, but
other places have remained open.
The government statement earlier, declaring the day as an
optional holiday, has sparked confusion among the public.
"It's really disappointing. My calender shows Feb. 12 in red,
meaning it's a holiday. Why should the government declare it an
optional holiday," complained Anthony, a senior employee at a
foreign bank on Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He grumbled
at Bank Indonesia's announcement that all banks should remain
open on Tuesday.
However, Anthony insisted he would take a day off to celebrate
the new year, known locally as Imlek, with his family.
Students of SMU 47 high school in Tanah Kusir, South Jakarta,
were also disappointed as the school changed its decision about
being closed on Tuesday.
Some Chinese students at SMU 13 high school in Tanjung Priok,
North Jakarta, made their own decision to skip studying although
the school would remain open.
Despite confusion and disappointment over the holiday
decision, the Chinese will celebrate Imlek modestly this year as
many of their belongings were swept away by the extensive
flooding recently.
"I'll celebrate Sin Cia (the new year) modestly as I have made
no preparations at all. The floods have ruined our business,"
said Merry, an electrical equipment shop owner in Jatinegara
market, East Jakarta.
Selbi G, a resident of Harapan Indah, Bekasi, said the Chinese
prophecy for 2002 had begun to come true.
"This year, according to the Chinese calendar, is the year of
the horse. Some say people will suffer more and have to work
harder the whole year," she said, in reference to the horse,
which has served as a means of transportation for humans in the
past.
Despite the disaster, Chinese people flocked to markets to
shop for fruit, food and flowers.
The Glodok area in West Jakarta was very busy. Chinese in all
age groups were seen shopping while others went to vihara
(temples) to light incense and red candles.
"People began to visit the temple yesterday to pray although
it is still inundated by the recent flooding. The number of
visitors is likely to peak tonight on New Year's Eve," said
Husein Sjarifudin, chairman of the Vihara Dharma Jaya Toasebio
temple on Jl. Kemenangan III, Kota, West Jakarta.
Makmur, a vendor of Chinese gifts in Glodok, said market
demand had been growing stronger.
"More than 100 people bought many gifts, including ing liu
flowers and red lanterns today," he said, adding that the flower
was believed to be a symbol of gracefulness. The flowers were
sold at Rp 125,000 to Rp 150,000, while a pair of red lanterns,
which symbolize light, were Rp 160,000 each.
A number of shopping malls, restaurants and hotels were
decorated with red lanterns, wind chimes, other decorations and
posters.
In Gajah Mada Plaza, West Jakarta, a group of musicians were
observed playing Chinese music using yang cing, sam sien, qo fu
and ti fu, types of string instrument. The orchestra gave a
strong "Chinese feel" to the mall.
Those places also plan to feature barongsai (lion dance),
liong (dragon dance), wushu (Chinese martial arts), fortune-
telling and Chinese dishes to attract the crowds.
People have also begun to send congratulatory cellphone
messages via SMS (short message service) to make light of their
unfortunate situation.
One such message reads, "Government warning: As of this year,
the salutation 'Gong Xi Fa Choi' is changed to 'Ngung Xi Yuk
Choi' (slang for 'let's seek shelter, pals')."