President Jokowi Orders Administration to Hold More Cheap Markets in Anticipation of El Niño

President Jokowi Monday (07/24) inspects the People’s Market held at Rampal Field, Malang city, East Java province. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

In a bid to anticipate the El Niño phenomenon predicted to hit Indonesia on the second semester of 2023, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on his administration both in central and regional government levels to hold more cheap market operations.

“I have ordered those in state-owned enterprises, as well as all governors, regents, and mayors to hold more cheap markets in the regions, as many as possible,” the President said after an inspection at the People’s Market held at Rampal Field, Malang city, East Java province on Monday (07/24).

In addition to the cheap market, the President also ordered his administration to increase the staple food assistance for beneficiaries. The President said that due to the unpredictability of El Niño, preventive measures are required to brace its impacts.

“We believe that we can anticipate it so that when El Niño hits, the people will not be startled because the heat can interfere with health and the food can also be affected if it really happens,” the President said.

Furthermore, the President said that currently, several countries have experienced the impacts of El Niño, including India and Vietnam, which no longer export rice.

“We do not wish the situation to happen in our country, so everything must be prepared,” the President said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (FI/LW)