Thrifty consumers crimp Indonesia's growth

Jakarta

THE Muslim fasting month is traditionally a time of plenty in Indonesia: Shoppers throng Jakarta's markets snapping up gifts to exchange at extravagant fast-breaking celebrations.

But this year, Ramadan - which runs from mid-June - will be a more abstemious affair because widespread job losses, a spike in inflation and lower earnings from commodities that Indonesia sells to the world have crimped consumers' purchasing power.