BY MOHD ISWANDI KASAN ANUAR
This is a three-part series about the celebration and preparations leading up to the Chinese New Year festivities this weekend in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. This part focuses on Indonesia.
JAKARTA: In the heart of Jakarta lies Petak Sembilan, which is among the bustling street markets leading up to the Chinese New Year celebration and serves as a choice for experiencing the spirit of the festivities and hope.
As the sun sets, Petak Sembilan transforms into a landscape of red hues, symbolising luck and prosperity for the Chinese community.
Every corner of Petak Sembilan holds a story, while each traded item carries its philosophy and inherited traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Amidst the gentle swaying of lanterns in the wind, shoppers pass through narrow lanes bathed in the warm glow of red lights.
According to sellers like Maslim, who is busy serving customers with a smile, sales, and visitor numbers during the Year of the Dragon have soared compared to previous years.
“Although the price is slightly higher due to the majority of goods being imported, many have been sold,” he said.
As the presidential and legislative elections draw nearer on February 14th, he finds it difficult to predict the future but hopes that the current favourable conditions will continue to improve.
“We need new policies that benefit the younger generation, especially the young entrepreneurs here,” said Maslim, who has been in business for over 15 years.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, buyers focus on choosing their home decorations such as statues, paintings, flowers, plants, lanterns, and red envelopes.
A private worker, Minami, goes from shop to shop looking for decorations after buying a basket cake or Nian Gao made of glutinous flour and sugar shaped like a dodol.
“This cake is traditionally the most loved during celebrations,” said Minami while explaining that the Year of the Dragon symbolises strength including in leadership.
The Confucianism Centre of the Ministry of Religious Affairs will hold a national Chinese New Year celebration in collaboration with the Indonesian Confucian Council on February 12th.
The celebration is scheduled to be attended by national leaders, government officials, religious leaders, and the public involving about 2,000 participants at the Samudera Hall, North Jakarta.
The management of Pantjoran Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) in North Jakarta is currently holding events until February 29th, including a luminous dragon dance, lion dance, Pagoda light show, concert, and Chinese fireworks.
A popular recreational spot, Pantjoran PIK has a special area resembling a beautiful traditional Chinese village with towering Pagoda architecture.
Meanwhile, the long holiday between Israk Mikraj and the Chinese New Year has prompted many people to leave Jakarta and travel to various destinations.
At Soekarno-Hatta, the busiest airport in Indonesia, the management of PT Angkasa Pura II predicts a movement of 605,899 passengers this weekend with 4,191 flight schedules.
PT Jasa Marga, the highway operator, expects an increase in traffic volume between 7.14 per cent and 33.73 per cent exceeding the daily traffic on most major highways throughout the country, especially in Java. – BERNAMA
