Gibran Checks the Market in Tuban to Ensure that the Supply of Basic Goods is Still Well-Maintained

JAKARTA - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka reviewed trading activities at the Gelondong Gede Market, Tuban, East Java, to ensure that the supply of basic goods is maintained and the price of community needs is stable ahead of Eid.

The Vice President also gave instructions to the local government to continue to maintain food availability and ensure that prices remain affordable for the community.

Upon arrival at the location, the Vice President reviewed the market area and interacted with traders and the community who were active. Gibran's presence was greeted by the Head of Gelondong Market, Gede Sutadji, and the Head of the TPI Management UPTD, Agus Saleh Setiawan.

On a separate occasion, Tuban Regent Aditya Halindra Faridzky conveyed that the Vice President gave a number of directions to the local government, especially regarding efforts to maintain the stability of the supply and price of basic commodities ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

"He gave input on how the local government could maintain supplies until Eid and be consistent in maintaining prices so that they remain affordable for the community," he explained as reported by ANTARA, Friday, March 6.

In addition, Gibran also asked the local government to strengthen coordination between the central, provincial, and regional governments to ensure that the community receives sufficient food needs.

"We are asked to coordinate intensively between the central government, provinces, and regions so that all people in Indonesia can get decent food," he said.

Furthermore, Aditya conveyed that the Vice President also emphasized the importance of following up on various government priority programs as directed by President Prabowo Subianto, especially those related to poverty alleviation and national strategic programs.

"We also received direct instructions from him to follow up on all priority programs from President Prabowo Subianto, so that they continue to move massively to complete the poverty rate and carry out various other strategic programs," he said.

"The Tuban Regency Government, he continued, was also asked to continue to improve market management and ensure that the supply of food remains maintained during the month of Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr," he said.

"We are given the task of cleaning up existing markets and ensuring that food supplies are maintained so that the community does not experience difficulties during the holy month of Ramadan," he said.

One of the traders, Jemiatun (56), who has been selling at the market for about 20 years, said that trading activities at the market were still quite busy.

"It's pretty crowded here. If you sell, you can make up to Rp1 million a day," said Jemiatun.

He also explained that before Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, there was usually a slight increase in prices for some commodities. For example, the increase is more felt in chili, which was previously around Rp50,000 per kilogram now reaching Rp70,000. Meanwhile, other types have increased from around Rp20,000 to Rp30,000.

Jemiatun hopes that the Vice President's visit can bring more attention to price stability and the availability of basic commodities in the market.

"The hope is that basic necessities will fall, prices will stabilize, and the goods will not be scarce," he said.

Gelondong Gede market itself is one of the centers of economic activity of coastal communities in Tuban which involves various local business actors.

It is recorded that around 100 fishermen depend on economic activities in this area, along with around 60 vegetable traders and 80 fish traders who serve the needs of the community every day. In addition, there are around 65 families living around the market area.