Residents Spread Shrouds That Say 'Reduce Cooking Oil Prices' When Jokowi Visits Jambi

A resident spreads a white cloth which turns out to be a shroud that reads, 'Pak Jokowi, please lower the price of cooking oil'./ screenshot

JAKARTA - A Jambi resident, Muhammad Usman, was detained by the Indonesian Army (TNI) and Presidential Security Force personnel when he unfurled a white cloth which turned out to be a shroud that read, 'Sir Jokowi, please lower the price of cooking oil'.

This incident occurred when President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his entourage finished visiting the Bedug Market in Jambi City today, Thursday, April 7.

In the video that circulated, Usman was seen spreading a cloth which was later seized by the TNI and Presidential Security Force. He admitted that this spontaneous action was carried out so that the message was conveyed directly.

"We decided to take a solo action to get closer to Jokowi so that our message can be conveyed. We prepared a white cloth, a shroud that we wrote with markers. It said 'Sir Jokowi, please lower the price of cooking oil'", Usman told reporters, Thursday, April 7th.

Usman said he came to the Bedug Market at around 12.30 WIB. At that time, President Jokowi was providing direct cash assistance (BLT) for cooking oil to residents.

However, he was restrained by Presidential Security Force. Shortly before Jokowi left the location at 13.15 WIB, then Usman carried out his action by spreading the white cloth that had been prepared.

"Not long ago, the cloth was taken away by TNI members. Then a number of other TNI members immediately confronted me, then ganged up on me", he said.

"Then I was lifted to the side. In the yard of Bank Danamon I was held by several members of the TNI so I couldn't move. When the car that Jokowi was riding had left my new location, I was released", added Usman.

Although secured by the TNI and Presidential Security Force, Usman admitted that he did not receive any violence. However, the cloth containing the writing was not returned.

"They just grabbed my body so I couldn't move", he said.

Previously, President Jokowi accompanied by the first lady, Iriana and her entourage left for Jambi Province for a working visit. They distributed BLT cooking oil and other aid and visited the temple.