President Jokowi Distributes Direct Cash Assistance at Porsea Market

President Jokowi distributes direct cash assistance at Porsea Market, Toba regency, North Sumatra province, Wednesday (02/02). (Photo by: BPMI/Lukas)

In a bid to ease the burden of small business owners amid the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (02/02) distributed direct cash assistance of Rp1.2 million per person for street vendors and small stall owners at Porsea Market, Toba regency, North Sumatra province. During the visit, President Jokowi also had a conversation with several sellers at the market.

“Thank you, Mr. Jokowi, for the assistance. I am proud to have Mr. Jokowi as the President,” a vegetable seller Sondang Novita Butar Butar said.

Echoing a similar sentiment, a food and beverage vendor at the market Risma Sitorus also expressed happiness for the assistance. “I am glad to be able to meet the President in person. In addition to financial assistance, I also received staple food,” she added.

On the occasion, President Jokowi gave the jacket he was wearing to a tailor named Rio.

“I was very happy to be called in person and given the jacket as a memento. I hope Mr. President is always in good health and our country will be more advanced,” Rio said.

President Jokowi also bought pineapples and salak fruit sold at the market.

“Mr. President bought two pineapples from me and he paid Rp200,000. Thank you, Mr. Jokowi,” the pineapple seller Fransisca Tampubolon said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (GWH/MMB)