President Jokowi Gives Cash Assistance to Kertek Market Vendors

President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo give cash assistance for street and warung vendors at Kertek Market in Wonosobo regency, Central Java province, Tuesday (12/14). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo Tuesday (12/14) visited Kertek Market in Wonosobo regency, Central Java province.

The downpour that rained down Kertek Market at the time did not prevent the President from greeting the market vendors.

On that occasion, the President gave cash assistance to street and warung (small traditional retail store) vendors at the market. The President expressed hope that the additional capital can help the vendors to develop their business that are affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

Head of Kertek Market Nyuhono stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a highly significant impact on the revenue and income of the market vendors, especially in the first three months of the pandemic when the vendors could not sell their goods at all.

“The revenue and income dropped drastically by almost 50 percent. Some vendors perhaps close their business for a while because many of their goods are not sold, but the pandemic gave a huge impact,” he said.

Nyuhono also expressed hope that the market that was built in 1995 can be rehabilitated as its current condition is bad due to damaged facilities and infrastructure.

“I hope that if development can be carried out, it will be turned into a traditional and modern market, so there are zones or vendor groupings. Clothing vendors, staple food vendors, meat vendors, each group can be put in a different zone,” he said.

Meanwhile, a warung vendor, Rahmawati, expressed her joy because Kertek Market was visited by the Head of State and First Lady. She also expressed hope that the market can be more successful.

“I hope the President is more successful, better, and Indonesia is more prosperous. I also hope that the President is healthy and lives a long life. I hope Kertek Market’s vegetable market is more successful so that my warung has more customers,” she said.

Joining the President and First Lady during their visit to Kertek Market were Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, and Regent of Wonosobo Afif Nurhidayat. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (DH/MMB)