Traders begin selling flags

Traders begin selling flags

PEKANBARU, Riau: Street hawkers had already begun selling Indonesian flags on Tuesday across Jl. Pekanbaru as Independence Day draws near.

"The demand for red and white flags and banners is always high ahead of Independence Day and we hope to benefit from that," said Buyung, a hawker.

Some of the flags are produced locally, while others are brought in from Padang, West Sumatra, he said.

The prices of the flags differ. A small flag of the sort usually put on motorcycles and cars costs Rp 5,000 (0.5 U.S. cents), while a full-size flag costs between Rp 15,000 and Rp 20,000.

The demand for flags reaches its peak a few days before Independence Day on Aug. 17. -- Antara