The activity demonstrated the government's presence in serving all residents, including those living near the borders, head of the office, Samuel Siriwa, said here on Thursday.
"The cheap market operation, which is in the framework of the 78th anniversary of Indonesian independence, gives a fresh nuance that the government cares for its people, especially in border areas," he added.
According to him, the cheap market operation aimed to provide food at affordable prices to the community, especially people living in border areas.
"In addition to the cheap market, there was also a distribution of one hundred food packages from the National Food Agency," he informed.
The food packages, which were intended for residents living around the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border in Skouw, were handed over symbolically by the deputy of infrastructure of the Home Affairs Ministry.
Siriwa said the cheap market operation was carried out in collaboration with the National Food Agency, state logistics agency Bulog, and other relevant agencies.
Under the operation, rice was offered at a price of Rp10 thousand per kilogram, cooking oil at Rp14 thousand per liter, and sugar at Rp15 thousand per kg.
"It seems that residents are very enthusiastic about the cheap market operation because the prices offered are below the normal market price," he said.
Those who came to shop at the market included not only Indonesians living around the border, but also some from PNG, he added.
"This is the first time we have done this, so the (market) only opened for a day, but it is possible that there will be more cheap market operations in the border area," he said.
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Translator: Qadri P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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