Dian Kuswandini and Tifa Asrianti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The death of former president Soeharto generated good business not only for florists in the capital, but also for security guards at his home on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta.
Florists at nearby Cikini market said orders started pouring in soon after the former president's death was announced Sunday afternoon. While florists in the area usually have two to three orders to fill per day, many said they received up to 10 orders Sunday.
After Soeharto's body was transferred to Solo in Central Java on Monday morning, many florists traveled to his residence to collect flower arrangement boards.
One of the florists told The Jakarta Post the Soeharto family had asked for the flower arrangements to be removed.
"They gave us the boards for free, but I gave the security guards Rp 10,000 (approximately US$1.1) for each board I took," said the florist, who asked to remain anonymous.
He said the guards asked for some "cigarette money".
According to the florist, styrofoam boards for flower arrangements cost up to Rp 60,000. He said the 30 boards he collected could be used again as they were still in good condition.
"Some of the decorations are reusable too. I have been cleaning the boards since this morning," he said.
Ferry and Arif, who are also florists in the area, said they received 10 orders each on Sunday afternoon.
Arif said even though he received 10 orders, it was half the amount of orders he received when Soeharto's wife, Tien, died in 1996.
"I think we received less orders this time because we have many competitors in other areas. There are also many florists opening shops in housing complexes," he added.
He said the orders came from a wide range of people and organizations, including several embassies.
Ferry said to finish the orders on time, he and his workers spent the night in the market.
"We can finish a standing flower bouquet in around half an hour," said Ferry, who has been selling flowers in Cikini for four years.
He said standing flower arrangements usually cost between Rp 250,000 and Rp 300,000, while flower displays on boards cost up to Rp 750,000.
"The price depends on the flowers. Customers can pick whatever flowers they like," Ferry said.
Meanwhile, many recently evicted fish vendors from Jl. Barito in South Jakarta had the opportunity to meet Soeharto while he was still alive.
Former Jl. Barito trader Yadi said Soeharto was a fish lover but knew very little about them. He said the former president often called in fish vendors to clean his ponds and take care of his fish.
"Once when I was cleaning a pond he came by and asked several questions about Koi," he said, adding that Soeharto often sent his staff members to the market to ask about the vendors.
Irfan, another vendor, said Soeharto once bought an Arowana fish for Rp 10 million.
"The price for that type of fish could now reach up to Rp 2 billion," he said.
"Pak Harto named the fish Arwana Pemikir (the Thinking Arowana), because he loved to look at the fish when he had something to think about."
Sixty-year-old florist Nani said she was the coordinator at the Soeharto house and at the Presidential Palace for flower arrangements.
"Bu Tien loved orchids and jasmine. She gave us orders to beautify the house and the palace.
"We will never forget Pak Harto, as we had great memories during his era. The fish vendors here often worked for Pak Harto, while the flower vendors worked for his wife," she added.
The death of former president Soeharto generated good business not only for florists in the capital, but also for security guards at his home on Jl. Cendana in Central Jakarta.
Florists at nearby Cikini market said orders started pouring in soon after the former president's death was announced Sunday afternoon. While florists in the area usually have two to three orders to fill per day, many said they received up to 10 orders Sunday.
After Soeharto's body was transferred to Solo in Central Java on Monday morning, many florists traveled to his residence to collect flower arrangement boards.
One of the florists told The Jakarta Post the Soeharto family had asked for the flower arrangements to be removed.
"They gave us the boards for free, but I gave the security guards Rp 10,000 (approximately US$1.1) for each board I took," said the florist, who asked to remain anonymous.
He said the guards asked for some "cigarette money".
According to the florist, styrofoam boards for flower arrangements cost up to Rp 60,000. He said the 30 boards he collected could be used again as they were still in good condition.
"Some of the decorations are reusable too. I have been cleaning the boards since this morning," he said.
Ferry and Arif, who are also florists in the area, said they received 10 orders each on Sunday afternoon.
Arif said even though he received 10 orders, it was half the amount of orders he received when Soeharto's wife, Tien, died in 1996.
"I think we received less orders this time because we have many competitors in other areas. There are also many florists opening shops in housing complexes," he added.
He said the orders came from a wide range of people and organizations, including several embassies.
Ferry said to finish the orders on time, he and his workers spent the night in the market.
"We can finish a standing flower bouquet in around half an hour," said Ferry, who has been selling flowers in Cikini for four years.
He said standing flower arrangements usually cost between Rp 250,000 and Rp 300,000, while flower displays on boards cost up to Rp 750,000.
"The price depends on the flowers. Customers can pick whatever flowers they like," Ferry said.
Meanwhile, many recently evicted fish vendors from Jl. Barito in South Jakarta had the opportunity to meet Soeharto while he was still alive.
Former Jl. Barito trader Yadi said Soeharto was a fish lover but knew very little about them. He said the former president often called in fish vendors to clean his ponds and take care of his fish.
"Once when I was cleaning a pond he came by and asked several questions about Koi," he said, adding that Soeharto often sent his staff members to the market to ask about the vendors.
Irfan, another vendor, said Soeharto once bought an Arowana fish for Rp 10 million.
"The price for that type of fish could now reach up to Rp 2 billion," he said.
"Pak Harto named the fish Arwana Pemikir (the Thinking Arowana), because he loved to look at the fish when he had something to think about."
Sixty-year-old florist Nani said she was the coordinator at the Soeharto house and at the Presidential Palace for flower arrangements.
"Bu Tien loved orchids and jasmine. She gave us orders to beautify the house and the palace.
"We will never forget Pak Harto, as we had great memories during his era. The fish vendors here often worked for Pak Harto, while the flower vendors worked for his wife," she added.
