This must be a modern, well-organized, and well-managed public market, with parking lots in the basement for 150 cars.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is keen on streamlining the Sukawati Market in Gianyar, Bali, to become a modern public marketplace through the application of sound management to support numerous merchants and surrounding communities.

"It must be a modern folk market with good management," President Jokowi remarked while reviewing the Sukawati Market on Jalan Ciung Wanara, Sukawati Sub-district, Gianyar District, Bali, on Friday.

During the review of the market's A, B, and C blocks where revitalization is planned, Gianyar District Head I Made Mahayastra ushered the head of state, who was accompanied by several officials comprising Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Communications Team member Ari Dwipayana, and Head of the President's Special Staff, Johan Budi SP.

During the review, Jokowi informed reporters of the development of the Sukawati Market relocation project.

The president remarked that funds for the project reached Rp89 billion derived from the state budget and Rp3.9 billion from the regional budget.

"The Sukawati market has been relocated, and I think this month, the tender would have been completed, and the project would be immediately implemented. This costs Rp89 billion sourced from the state budget and Rp3.9 billion from the regional budget. We are optimistic that the project would be finished this year, and all will be completed next year," he stated.

The former Jakarta governor is upbeat that following revitalization, the Sukawati Market will, beyond doubt, become a clean and well-organized market to offer greater comfort to visitors at the market that is over three decades old.

"Not visiting Sukawati when you are in Bali is like you have yet to go to Bali. You have to come here for shopping," he emphasized.

Jokowi also remarked that the market had been supporting 1,700 traders who he viewed as being extraordinary.

Jokowi admitted to having visited Sukawati Market several times along with his wife Iriana.

"Supporting 1,700 traders, it is extraordinary. I do not know how many times I have come here," he affirmed.

"This must be a modern, well-organized, and well-managed public market, with parking lots in the basement for 150 cars.

"In the past, finding a parking lot was very difficult," he recalled.

On the same occasion, the president added that in the coming five years, traditional market revitalization programs will continue to be implemented, with targets that are approximately the same as the past five years.

"We have built over five thousand big markets and 8,900 village markets. In future, we will continue to develop the markets as meeting places of sellers, buyers, farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen. Markets in Indonesia must live," Jokowi stated.

Jokowi and First Lady Iriana spent time interacting with people and traders in the market. Several of them tried to approach and call for the president.

Jokowi and Iriana took several photographs with the people.

On the occasion, both also shopped for fruits, including Balinese salak (snakefruit/ zalacca) and watermelon (citrullus lanatus).

Translator: Hanni Sofia/Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019