Residents Who Spread The Shroud When Jokowi To Jambi Turned Out To Be OUR Members

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 who spreads a white cloth which is a shroud that reads 'Pak Jokowi, please lower the price of cooking oil' is the Executive Committee of the Indonesian Rescue Action Coalition (KAMI).

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

In his statement, Usman said this action was carried out as a form of protest over the increase in cooking oil prices that occurred. According to him, many mothers have been affected by the rising price of cooking oil in the market.

"Most of our Jambi Province members are mothers who feel very affected by the increase in cooking oil prices," Usman told reporters, Thursday, April 7.

Usman said this action actually coincided with demonstrations being held in other locations. However, the crowd did not manage to meet President Jokowi.

Because of this condition, Usman finally decided to act alone so that Jokowi and his entourage could read his message immediately. "We prepared a white cloth on which we wrote from markers, the contents of which were 'Pak Jokowi, please lower the price of cooking oil'," he said.

Next, he visited the Bedug Market where President Jokowi is scheduled to hand over direct cash assistance (BLT) for cooking oil to residents and traders. However, at that time, he was blocked by Paspampres, who was carrying out security.

It was only when Jokowi was about to leave the location that Usman immediately took action by spreading the cloth he was carrying. However, the action was quickly blocked by members of the TNI.

"At around 13.15 WIB, President Jokowi left the location, I immediately waved the white cloth that we had prepared," he said.

"Not long ago, the cloth was taken away by TNI members. Then a number of other TNI members came directly to confront me, then ganged up on me," added Usman.

Although secured by the TNI and Paspampres, 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.