On Independence Day, to experience the freedom of the national public holiday, I decided to do what I wanted: Go shopping. Because in Yogyakarta on Aug. 17, many department stores offered special discounts - they said up to 50 percent - apparently to prove their strong sense of nationalism and the patrotism of the shop owners. I hoped to enjoy the freedom from expensive prices on that very special day.
Along with a friend, I visited one of the most popular malls in the city. We were excited to be able to tour all sections of the mall, to find fancy clothes and shoes at very affordable prices.
However, we finally realized that the 50 percent off was negligible, as the prices were still quite high for us as students. We then headed to other outlets trying to find cheaper products. As small consolation, we were able to buy shoes there.
Satisfied with our purchases, we decided to take a break at the food court downstairs. We bought ice-creams just to cool our throats. While chatting, I looked around to see what was going on. Just as in many other public spaces, the colours of red and white dominated the store.
Many red and white ornaments were hung on the wall and a giant flag had been unfurled alongside the stairs. I realized there were many more people coming to the store than usual.
Some people were carrying numerous shopping bags, showing that they had bought many items at the store. Many people were eating different kinds of food and beverages from the food court, mostly global brands.
It made me think how rich Indonesians were and how high Indonesians' purchasing power was. If so, it might be true that Indonesia had emerged from the recent economic crisis.
I remembered that Indonesia was among the nations with the fastest economic growth in the world during the current global financial crisis, being told so in a national seminar I attended a few weeks ago. It was said that Indonesia had positive 4.4 percent economic growth, which put it in third place after China and India.
I pondered the question of whether Indonesia's economy had indeed recovered. This answer to this question might be "yes", based on the fact that there were so many more people who could afford to buy clothes, electronics, jewelry, etc. at the store.
However, stepping out of the store, I found quite a contrast. Only a few meters away from the exit door, there were several beggars. Most of them were old men, a few were children.
They wore ragged clothes and their pale faces indicated they had not eaten as well as many people at the store had. They hoped for compassion from the people who had shopped at the store. Unfortunately, not many people had compassion to give, not even just a penny.
It showed me that there is a big paradox with Independence Day. It is a special day for some people, when they have the freedom to spend their money on merchandise which is cheaper than usual, as many department stores offer great sales on that day.
But, it means nothing for the hundreds, or even thousands, of less fortunate people, since it does not bring any change to their circumstances.
In the end, the question of whether we all truly have independence is still worth asking.
The writer is a third year student at Gadjah Mada University majoring in International Relations.
