TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo did not take act of relocating the street vendors of Tanah Abang to the area’s Block G building lightly. Realizing the market lacked customers, he took the opportunity to visit the shops on Wednesday and purchase a few items after being interviewed for a talk show at a private television station, which was done on the ground floor of the market.
Upon completing his interview, the governor popularly known as Jokowi obeyed the yells and cries of the vendors asking him to go upstairs. Once he stepped foot on the third floor, the governor went straight to shopping. Vendors have often complained about this floor because customers rarely go there.
The governor approached each shop and purchased items worth Rp200,000 at every store.
"To help boost sales, I also need those clothes, for my servants at home. And there was one that cost Rp130,000 for my wife," he said while browsing through the stalls.
Jokowi said the market is only packed on the weekends, but he said he would try to do more to promote the market. He will routinely ask the wives of the city’s officials to go to the market every Friday in turns, he said.
Yeni Ocvita, one of the vendors, was extremely grateful saying, "He (Jokowi) bought 10 veils and paid Rp200,000. It was actually only Rp150,000 but he told me to keep the change, I’m thankful Mr. Jokowi helped boost my sales."
LINDA TRIANITA
