President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana, on Friday, paid a visit to Cekkeng Market in Bulukumba District, South Sulawesi, to personally select and purchase fruits and vegetables.
On the second day of Jokowi's visit to South Sulawesi, enthusiastic residents thronged Cekkeng Market to get a glimpse of the head of state and first lady who greeted locals and merchants on arriving at the market.
Jokowi and Iriana were seen exploring every alley of the traditional market and stopped by some stalls for one-on-one interactions with merchants and to purchase their goods, according to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat received in Jakarta.
The couple also directly browsed through various commodities on offer, such as chilies, oranges, and vegetables.
Haminah, one of the merchants, admitted to feeling elated to be able to serve Jokowi and Iriana at her stall.
"I am happy because Mr. Jokowi was here. He bought oranges and shallots while inquiring about the prices. The president gave me Rp100 thousand (US$6.13) although his purchase was only Rp40 thousand (US$2.45) in total," she recalled.
Another merchant named Cia said she was lucky to interact with the president.
"He bought Rp10 thousand (US$0.61) of chilies (but gave Rp50 thousand). Thank God, I am happy," she stated.
The Presidential Secretariat noted that Jokowi's visit to the market not only turned out to be a valuable moment for the locals but also served as a testament to the president's awareness of the importance of leaders interacting with the public.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin accompanied President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana during the agenda.
Related news: MSMEs dominate domestic market, keep eyeing global market: Jokowi
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On the second day of Jokowi's visit to South Sulawesi, enthusiastic residents thronged Cekkeng Market to get a glimpse of the head of state and first lady who greeted locals and merchants on arriving at the market.
Jokowi and Iriana were seen exploring every alley of the traditional market and stopped by some stalls for one-on-one interactions with merchants and to purchase their goods, according to a statement from the Presidential Secretariat received in Jakarta.
The couple also directly browsed through various commodities on offer, such as chilies, oranges, and vegetables.
Haminah, one of the merchants, admitted to feeling elated to be able to serve Jokowi and Iriana at her stall.
"I am happy because Mr. Jokowi was here. He bought oranges and shallots while inquiring about the prices. The president gave me Rp100 thousand (US$6.13) although his purchase was only Rp40 thousand (US$2.45) in total," she recalled.
Another merchant named Cia said she was lucky to interact with the president.
"He bought Rp10 thousand (US$0.61) of chilies (but gave Rp50 thousand). Thank God, I am happy," she stated.
The Presidential Secretariat noted that Jokowi's visit to the market not only turned out to be a valuable moment for the locals but also served as a testament to the president's awareness of the importance of leaders interacting with the public.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin accompanied President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana during the agenda.
Related news: MSMEs dominate domestic market, keep eyeing global market: Jokowi
Related news: Jokowi inspects staples' prices at Central Kalimantan's Mentaya Market
Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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