Market Traders In Kudus Scream, Ask ASN To Be Saved

Illustration of ASN (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Traditional market traders in Kudus Regency, Central Java, asked the local regent to make instructions for state civil servants (ASN) to shop for basic needs at traditional markets to help stimulate the community's economy.

"If the provision of incentives or other policies that can encourage the economic recovery of traders in traditional markets is difficult, the Kudus Regent can instruct his ASN to shop for basic needs and other needs available in traditional markets," said the chairman of the Kudus Kliwon Market Traders Association (HPPK). Sulistiyanto in Kudus, Saturday, quoted from ANTARA.

Moreover, he said, ASN is one of the professional groups that is very economically stable in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic so that the purchasing power of ASN which is also stable can be used to help move the community's economy.

Since the policy of implementing restrictions on community activities (PPKM) which has continued until now, he said, it has greatly impacted sales transactions in traditional markets, especially Kliwon Market, which fell sharply.

He estimates that the decline in sales turnover of traders in Kliwon Market could reach 90 percent because the current market conditions are very quiet following the blocking of road access in various areas, including in Kudus City which also occurred at several points.

"People from outside the area who want to shop must think twice because finding alternative routes is also not an easy matter, especially those who bring cars," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Commission B of the Kudus DPRD Ali Mukhlisin positively welcomed the proposal, because traders in traditional markets also slumped during the pandemic.

"Because the purchasing power of ASN is quite stable, there is nothing wrong with the regent instructing ASN in the district government to shop for various needs in traditional markets, not in modern markets," he said.

If HPPK officially conveys its aspirations, of course it will be followed up by inviting the Trade Office to facilitate it, because the arrival of ASN in traditional markets is expected to restore the wheels of the economy of MSME actors.