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')."