President Jokowi Inaugurates Jakarta’s Historic Sarinah Mall

President Jokowi during the inauguration of Sarinah Mall at Sarinah building in Jakarta (07/14) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (07/14) inaugurated Sarinah shopping center, which is Indonesia’s first shopping center.

The building of the shopping center, whose renovation was completed earlier this year, is located on MH Thamrin road in the heart of Central Jakarta.

“Alhamdulillah, today we see the new look of Sarinah, which serves as a vital icon of our nation that holds tight our memories from generation to generation,” President Jokowi said during the inauguration ceremony.

According to the President, Sarinah has a great history and meaning for nation as the building was initiated by Indonesia’s First President Soekarno with a noble mission to trade Indonesia’s local products.

“I am glad the products have been meticulously displayed in a proper way. This professional work deserves our appreciation,” the President added.

The Head of State also underscored that the management of Sarinah must be optimized to enhance multiplier effects for producers of local products, adding that all products sold at the department store have a good quality that is worth the price.

“While looking around, I saw high quality shoes which are costly. It is normal. High quality with high price. I also saw tenun products, batik products that have a high price. Indeed, they should be sold expensive,” President Jokowi said, adding that buying local products with high quality and a very worthy price will give pride for buyers.

For the record, since the reopening in March 21 this year, the store has seen the number of visitors reach five million people. (TGH/UN) (AP/EP)