President calls for solution to perennial Ramadhan, Idul Fitri issues

Jakarta, NU Online
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called on Cabinet members to solve perennial issues ahead of the Ramadhan fasting month and subsequent Idul Fitri holiday, such as hikes in staple food prices and travel congestion during the annual mudik (homecoming).

The call, issued two months before Muslims in Indonesia celebrate Idul Fitri in July, was conveyed during a limited meeting on Idul Fitri preparations at the Presidential Office on Tuesday. Jokowi demanded that his Cabinet maintain the availability of staple foods, fuel, transportation and infrastructure.

"I expect congestion on homecoming routes that have typically become a problem can be reduced and eliminated. We must be concerned about the quality of service, safety and passenger comfort," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.

Jokowi expected the price of meat to be maintained at around Rp 80,000 per kilogram. Likewise, due to harvest patterns, he hoped the price of rice could remain at an affordable level.

As for the widespread traffic congestion, he demanded the public works and public housing minister scrap queues at toll booths by implementing an electronic payment system.

"I think in other countries they no longer use toll booths, but sensor applications that are connected to bank accounts. I think that is the model we have to apply," Jokowi said. (Masdar)