In the first week of Ramadhan, remittance transfers recorded by the post office, with a working area that covers Malang city, Malang regency and Batu, amounted to more than Rp 70 billion (US$5.26 million), a sharp increase from other months.

Post office head Agus Aribowo said the remittances received had been sent by Malang residents working in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. Most of the remittances were sent to southern Malang -- a migrant worker pocket area.

“Our postal branches have recorded a 5 percent increase in remittances every day compared to normal days,” said Agus on Friday.  

He said the post office had added cash supplies at its branches to anticipate a jump in remittance payments. Remittance transfers via Western Union remain the highest, amounting to Rp 2.5 billion per day on average.

“I came here to get money sent by my daughter, who is working in Hong Kong. I will use it to cover our needs during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri,” said Katijan, 58.

Agus said the number of packages delivered via the post office had also increased to 6,000 per day from 4,000 on normal days.  

“The package deliveries are mostly from online transactions. This shows e-commerce has continued to grow,” said Agus. (ebf)

On the way: A worker at the Malang Central Postal Office prepares to deliver packages on June 9. (JP/Aman Rochman)