Meeting Medan Couples Selling Tempeh Affected By The Pandemic, Sri Mulyani Talks About IDR 1.2 Million Aid From Jokowi For PKL

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani (DOK Instagram sminindrawati)

MEDAN - The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the economy. Small traders were also affected because their income decreased drastically.

The same condition was experienced by a husband and wife selling tempeh in Medan, North Sumatra. This couple sells tempeh by making a 'lapak' on the seat of their motorbike.

"It's time, ma'am," said the tempeh trader man, calling the pandemic disrupting his daily income, quoted from a video uploaded by Sri Mulyani via the smindrawati Instagram account, Sunday, September 12.

This newly married couple admitted to getting tempeh to sell from their uncle. Usually, the couple earns Rp. 150,000 per day from selling tempeh, but now it has eroded up to 50 percent.

At that time, Sri Mulyani explained that government assistance would be given to small traders, which would be channeled through the police/TNI.

"God willing, we will receive from the government, Mr. President, IDR 1.2 million. What do you think?" asked Sri Mulyani.

"WL. To raise capital and rejuvenating equipment at home,: replied the man.

"I applaud the couple of street vendors selling tempeh in Medan who do not give up and keep trying," said Sri Mulyani, explaining the video upload.

Sri Mulyani explained that the direct assistance for 1 million MSMEs, street vendors and stalls was channeled through the National Police and the TNI for those who had not received cash assistance.

As of September 3, 6.37 million debtors had received interest subsidies for KUR and Non-KUR SMEs and 12.71 million business units had received Micro Business Productive Assistance (BPUM) through the Ministry of SME Cooperatives.

Currently the government, continued Sri Mulyani, added an allocation of IDR 1.2 trillion to help 1 million street vendors