RI's Anniversary In The Midst Of A Pandemic, Seasonal Traders Give Up With No Buyers

Febri, a red and white flag trader in the Senen area of Central Jakarta. (Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI)

JAKARTA - Ahead of the celebration of the 76th Indonesian Independence Day, traders of banners and red and white flags along Jalan Kramat Raya, Senen District, Central Jakarta complained about the lack of buyers. People's purchasing power is considered to have decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and the extension of PPKM Level 4.

Febri, 30, a man who has been selling flags for six years in the Central Jakarta area, can only resign himself to a difficult situation.

in the current situation and conditions. The man who has been selling flags for 6 years seasonally can only be patient waiting for a buyer.

"This year, the enthusiasm of the residents has decreased, the turnover of traders has automatically decreased. If the PPKM problem can be solved, let us traders feel good too," said Febri.

The man from Cirebon, Central Java hopes that his merchandise will return to the way it was in previous years. Moreover, the goods they sell are only looking for a moment once a year.

"To welcome Independence Day on August 17, 1945, the enthusiasm of people to buy flags this year has decreased. What about the future," he said.

Almost every year, Febri sells the flags and attributes of Sang Saka Merah Putih. Although he has a flag boss with a sales deposit system, according to him, the current pandemic condition is difficult to expect.

"This year's comparison is only 40 percent of buyers, the enthusiasm of citizens to buy flags has decreased drastically," he said.