Palace: The President Responds To The Request Of The Families Of The Traders In The Bogor Market Who Are Detained By The Police

President Jokowi visited Bogor Market to provide social assistance in Bogor, West Java on Thursday (22/4/2022). (ANTARA/Rusman - Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin said President Joko Widodo always tried to respond to public requests, including those of traders at the Bogor Market.

"Yes, yesterday there were residents who complained to the President at the Bogor Market, Bogor City when the President handed over Social Assistance at the market and the President always tries to respond quickly to what the public has said to him," Bey said in Jakarta, as reported by Antara, Friday, 22 April.

During the delivery of social assistance (bansos) at Bogor Market on Thursday, April 21, it was discovered that two traders had shouted hysterically at President Jokowi and asked the President to help a brother who was imprisoned for refusing illegal levies (extortion).

"Actually, something like this is a normal event when the President meets the community, either at the market, fishing village, or during a work visit to the region," said Bey.

Bey gave an example when President Jokowi inspected citrus fields in North Sumatra, the President called the Minister of Agriculture directly because the problems he conveyed were related to agriculture. Another example is when the President visited a fishing village, the President called the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning because it was related to the status of the land.

"Yesterday, the President immediately asked the Cabinet Secretary, who was actually accompanying him, to record what the residents had said and also asked the West Java Police Chief to seek clarity on the case," added Bey.

According to Bey, the police have explained to the media what the residents have complained about.

"So actually the President goes directly to meet the community, such as to the market, fishing village, or on the sidelines during a work visit, not just greeting or distributing social assistance, but what is more important for the President is to listen to direct input from the community," he said. Bey.

In a video circulating on social media, two traders can be seen shouting at President Jokowi and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung at Bogor Market.

"Sir, help us, there are a lot of extortion here, uncle we are arrested by the police. Om we fight against thugs, refuse to extort the police arrested, we are confused, we have been imprisoned for more than 3 months," said a female trafficker. The female merchant who was accompanied by a male trader calmed down, but the two of them were still hysterical and trying to ask the President for help

"Uncle we were arrested by the police, sir. We are confused," said the merchant.

"Calm down, calm down," said Jokowi.

President Jokowi then asked Pramono Anung to write down the name of the merchant's brother who was detained by the police.

"It's been more than 3 months in prison, sir, where do you want Eid, you have four children, sir. Please sir, only you can help us," said the merchant.

The male trader even claimed to have evidence related to the case that ensnared his brother.

"Just because you refuse extortion, sir. We have evidence, all of you, sir, are thugs," said the merchant.

"Thank you, sir," said the merchant.

Finished at the Bogor Market, at around 17.00 WIB the President returned to the Bogor Presidential Palace.

Also accompanying Jokowi in the activity were Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil, Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya.