President Jokowi Inspects Food Prices at Tenguyun Market, N. Kalimantan

President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana visit the Tenguyun Market, Tarakan, North Kalimantan province, Tuesday (02/28). (Photo by: BPMI Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi Tuesday (02/28) inspected Tenguyun Market, Tarakan, North Kalimantan province.

During the visit, the President and the First Lady interacted with local traders while checking prices of several food commodities such as cooking oil, shallots, and garlic.

“We checked food prices in North Kalimantan province. I noticed that the price of cooking oil remains stable and the supply is also adequate,” the President stated.

The Head of State also revealed that the price of shallots remains stable, yet there is a slight increase in garlic price.

“The shallot price stood at Rp40 thousand per kilogram, while garlic price experienced a slight hike. Prices of other commodities remain stable,” he added.

On that occasion, the President also underscored that the supply of staple needs is sufficient ahead of this year’s Eid al-Fitr.

In the meantime, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian shared views on the President’s signature blusukan (impromptu visit).

“I spent almost six and a half years with him, including three years and three months when I was Chief of the Indonesian National Police and three years and three months when I served as Minister of Home Affairs. That is one of those things that makes me want to emulate him,” Tito said.

According to the Minister, President Jokowi could monitor and find outmajor issues in the society through his impromptu visits, including the rising prices of basic necessities that might trigger inflation.

“He knows the details of the problem well, not to mention an increase of Rp700 per kilogram in rice prices. He will figure it out so nobody can fool around,” he asserted.

The Minister also pointed out that the President always urged his Cabinet Ministers to monitor directly on the ground so they know the data and existing problems.

“During discussion, the President will not listen to us [ministers] without any accurate data,” the Minister remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RIF/HD/MMB)