President Jokowi Inaugurates Semarang’s Newly-Renovated Johar Market

President Jokowi visits and inaugurates Johar Market in Semarang city, Central Java province, Wednesday (01/05). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (01/05) inaugurated the newly renovated Johar market, the largest traditional market in Central Java provincial city of Semarang.

“Alhamdulillah, the market area, which includes North Johar Central Johar market, South Johar market, and Kanjengan market, is ready for use by the sellers. Of course, people (also) use the market to shop for their necessities,” the President said.

According to the Head of State, the market is an essential center of people’s economic activities, adding that a busy market will indicate growth of the people’s economy  and bring impacts on the production sector.

“Where do shallots and garlic farmers take the commodities to? To the market. For those who produce tofu and tempeh, how do they get consumers? Through the market as well. Therefore, once again, a busy market indicates the people’s economic growth due to transactions of buying and selling activities in it. This will drive the people’s economic supply chain,” he said.

For the record, North Johar market and Central Johar market were built with a budget of Rp146 billion, while South Johar market was built with a budget of Rp103 billion.

In order to increase the market trading capacity, Kanjengan Market was also built with a budget of Rp20.3 billion.

“Today, I am delighted to see firsthand the market, which has been revitalized. It has been made cleaner, neater, more modern [in design], and well-organized, without violating any rules since it is a cultural heritage building,” the President said.

Basden on data from Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, North Johar market occupies a building area of ​​4,802 square meters with 51 kiosks and 368 dry stalls, while Central Johar market occupies a building area of ​​7,183 square meters with 102 kiosks, 503 dry stalls, and 109 wet stalls.

Meanwhile, South Johar market is located in a building area of ​​10,594 square meters with 126 kiosks, 542 dry stalls, and 36 wet stalls, and the Kanjengan market has a building area of ​​8,460 square meters with 205 kiosks and 550 dry stalls.

The President also expressed hope that the neatly-organized Johar market will continue to be a bustling market and can bring back past glory of Johar market as a landmark of the city.

“Keep it clean and safe so that this market will remain clean, neat, and well-organized, instead of being a dirty and smelly market,” the President remarked.

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