JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) distributed direct cash assistance to street vendors and stalls at the Sidikalang Main Market, Dairi Regency, North Sumatra, Thursday, February 3.
The financial assistance of IDR 1.2 million per person is expected to help ease the burden on traders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the market traders, Lisna Hutapea, admitted that she would use the assistance as capital to increase her business. He also did not expect to meet President Jokowi in person.
"The help is to increase my business. I am very happy, this is the first time in my life. Thank you, Mr. President, for good health, long life," said Lisna in a statement received in Jakarta, Thursday.
Another trader, Romayana Simbolon, also said that he was happy to meet President Jokowi face to face. According to him, during the 76 years of Indonesia's independence, this is the first time that Dairi Regency has been visited by the President.
"I'm very happy, (assistance) for capital to increase business. Thank you, we can directly meet him (President Jokowi, ed). During the 76 years of independence, only now have face-to-face with (President) Jokowi," he said.
On that occasion, President Jokowi also signed a painting by an artist in Dairi Regency.
Renaldi Siregar, who brought the painting, said he was happy because the painting was signed by the President, and hoped that the artists in Dairi Regency would receive attention from the central and regional governments.
"Hopefully Mr. Jokowi will see the artists in Dairi to work more. Many artists are ignored, not noticed. Hopefully, with the signing of this painting, the President and the Dairi Regency Government will pay attention to the Dairi artists," he said.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi, and Regent of Dairi Eddy Keleng Ate Berutu.
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