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ifty eight-year-old Jumari wipes dust from a framed picture of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, on his cart as he answers a customer's queries.

'The small flag is Rp 3,000 [26 US cents]. You can buy two for Rp 5,000,' he told the customer.

Jumari, a Cirebon native, has been proudly selling Indonesian flags in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, since his parents started the business in 1967. He took over the business in 1976.

Having been in the trade for over four decades, Jumari has earned himself the accolade of the most well-known flag vendor in Jakarta.

'Ahead of Aug. 17, I am usually the one Jakarta residents rely on for their flags,' he said.

Traditionally, Indonesians put up flags in front of their homes to celebrate Independence Day. Neighborhoods, office buildings and school buildings follow suit and also decorate their surroundings with red-and-white banners and bunting.

Every year, Jumari and his six neighbors stitch tens of thousands of flags to prepare for Independence Day, and every year he dominates the flag business in Jakarta.

'We started sewing in January until Idul Fitri in July. We've also received orders for specific flags from office building managements since February,' he said.

Jumari added that he supplied flags to most flag vendors in Jakarta.

He also supplies flags to his neighbors who travel across the country selling them. 'Some of my neighbors have gone to Bekasi, Cikarang, Lampung, Central Java and even Papua. So our products are all over the country,' he said proudly.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, his products are not only sold in Jatinegara but also Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta, Jl. Fatmawati in South Jakarta, Senen in Central Jakarta and Jl. Antasari in South Jakarta, among other places.

Jumari's flags sell for a modest Rp 2,500 or up to as much as Rp 2 million.

In Jatinegara, Jumari is assisted by seven of his nephews and sons with their own carts. He said that he only came to Jakarta once a year to sell flags. 'I live in Cirebon. I come here with my wife once a year only to sell flags. We stay in Jakarta for at least three weeks until we can wrap up sales in the city,' Jumari said.

He added that they stayed in a modest boarding house in Kebon Pala in East Jakarta.

When Jumari is not selling flags, he sells motorcycle accessories and fireworks for special occasions such as Idul Fitri and New Year's Eve.

He said he only supplied motorcycle accessories and fireworks to his children, nephews and neighbors for them to sell in Jatinegara.

'I don't personally come to Jakarta to sell motorcycle accessories and fireworks. I only supply the products,' Jumari said.

However, he personally comes to the city to sell his flags. 'I don't make much money from what I do, but I enjoy doing it,' he said.

Jumari said his love for the country, and especially Sukarno, inspired him to run the business.

'No one loves this country more than I do. Millions of people died to fly the red-and-white flag. I sell the flags not because I need the money, but because I love Indonesia and I respect those who died for this flag,' he said.

Jumari hangs two framed pictures of Sukarno from his cart.

'These pictures are my prized possessions. I always hang them on my cart so I can see Bung Karno every day,' he said.