Handling Inflation, Bobby Nasution Opens Cheap Markets in 151 Medan Urban Villages

MEDAN - As an effort to deal with the impact of inflation that occurred due to the adjustment to the increase in fuel prices, the Medan City Government held a cheap market in 151 urban villages in Medan City.

This cheap market sells 4 basic ingredients (bapok) namely rice, cooking oil, granulated sugar, and eggs at prices below market prices. It is hoped that the presence of this cheap market can help ease the burden on the community in meeting their daily needs.

The opening of the cheap market by the Mayor of Medan Bobby Nasution was carried out symbolically at the Sei Agul Village Office, Jalan Danau Laut Tawar, West Medan District, Tuesday, September 20. The presence of this cheap market is a form of attention from the Medan City Government to the community, especially the poor.

"The presence of this low-cost market is also a form of follow-up to the instructions of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo to deal with the impact of the recent fuel price adjustment. So, according to the instructions, local governments can use a minimum of 2% of the General Allocation Fund (DAU) and the Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH). That's the minimum number," said Bobby Nasution.

However, for this low-cost market, Bobby explained, the Medan City Government uses more than 5 percent to allocate its use to the community.

"Hopefully the presence of this cheap market can help the community," he hoped.

Furthermore, to all sub-districts and village heads who were present in person or through virtual connections, President Joko Widodo's son-in-law gave a message to ensure that the basic ingredients in the Medan City Government Cheap Market are truly targeted to the people who need them.

"We understand that our efforts cannot solve 100 percent of the problems faced, but believe me, we are here to listen and help the community," he said.

In front of the community, especially mothers who attended the opening of the cheap market, the husband of the Chairman of the Medan City PKK TP Kahiyang Ayu further revealed that, in addition to the cheap market, the Medan City Government will also provide social assistance (social assistance) to fishermen, motorcycle taxi services and motorized tricycles (betor), as well as SMEs.

Meanwhile, we will give subsidies to city transportation (angkot) because of the increase in tariffs. We will provide a subsidy of IDR 1,500 for people who use public transportation services. So, people only need to pay IDR 5,000," he explained

After the opening, Bobby inspected the stand selling basic commodities that had been invaded by the community. In the midst of the enthusiasm of the community to buy the basic ingredients available, Bobby Nasution also gave free rice and sugar to a number of women who claimed to be happy with the presence of the cheap market held by the Medan City Government.

In the cheap market which takes place from 20-27 September, the price of basic commodities sold is fairly cheap. 5kg rice is sold for IDR 47,500, while the market price is IDR 58,000-IDR 60,000.

Then, granulated sugar is IDR 12,100/kg (market price of IDR 14,000/kg), eggs for 1 board are IDR 33,000/board (IDR 1,100/grain), while the market price is IDR 48,000/board. Likewise, simple packaged cooking oil is sold at a price of IDR 10,500/liter.