Jokowi Visits Tarakan Tenguyun Market, Checking Food Supply

President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Jokowi visited Tenguyun Market, Tarakan, Kaltara. Jokowi's arrival was greeted enthusiastically./SPECIAL PHOTO

TARAKAN - President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Jokowi visited the Tenguyun Market, Tarakan, North Kalimantan (Kaltara). Jokowi's arrival was greeted enthusiastically.

The President interacts with traders while checking prices and supplies of food ingredients such as oil, shallots, and garlic.

"We want to check the prices in the province of Kaltara, good price for oil, it's good, the price is good, oil. I see the supply is also available, the goods are there, oil," said Jokowi, Tuesday, February 28.

Apart from the oil price, Jokowi assessed that the price of shallots is also stable. However, Jokowi said that garlic was observed to experience a slight increase in price.

"Shallots have a good price at IDR 40,000/kilogram. The (price) rose a little, garlic went up. The others, I see, have good prices," the president continued.

Jokowi emphasized that the supply of food and basic necessities ahead of this year's Eid was monitored safely.

"I think the supply looks good, there is no problem," said Jokowi.

Meanwhile, DPR Commission VI member Deddy Yevri Hanteru Sitorus who accompanied the president's visit said the enthusiasm of the Tarakan residents was extraordinary. This visit is the fifth time in Kaltara and the second time in Tarakan.

"President Jokowi's arrival is also part of the Mentarang hydropower plant groundbreaking, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (today, red). This is good news because the hydropower plant will produce electricity to be distributed to the Industrial Area in Tanah Kuning, Mangkupadi," said the PDIP politician.

Deddy Sitorus said that there would be wide job opportunities in Kaltara. Apart from employment, of course, it will also boost the economy in the fields of services, agricultural and marine products, property, and so on.

"I also appeal to investors who are building the Mentarang hydropower plant to really pay attention to environmental standards and ecological balance, to pay attention to the living areas of the affected people both from an economic and cultural perspective. Also to involve Kaltara residents and especially Malinau in working on the project," he concluded.