The Indonesian government has launched a vibrant cheap market and people’s bazaar at the iconic Monas area in Central Jakarta. This significant event was organized in response to the overwhelming public enthusiasm observed during the “Istana Untuk Rakyat” (Palace for the People) festivities held previously during Eid al-Fitr.
According to Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, who personally oversaw the Monas market event on Saturday (March 28), the high turnout at the presidential palace during Eid surpassed all expectations. “Following the immense public interest during the ‘Istana Untuk Rakyat’ on Eid day, President Prabowo expressed a desire to extend the celebratory spirit of Eid. This led to the creation of an event like this, perhaps for the first time after Eid, right here in Monas, in this vast field,” Teddy explained, emphasizing the President’s vision for continued public joy.
Teddy further highlighted that this initiative is designed to offer the community a special space to continue their Eid celebrations together. A key feature of the event, he noted, was the distribution of one hundred thousand shopping coupons, a generous gesture aimed at directly benefiting attendees. He also confirmed that a diverse array of vendors from various markets across the greater Jabodetabek region were participating, offering a wide selection of goods to the public.
President Aims to Share Eid Happiness
The staging of the cheap market and people’s bazaar in Central Jakarta‘s Monas area was a direct directive from President Prabowo Subianto himself, aimed at extending happiness to the community in the aftermath of Eid al-Fitr. “The President’s intention is simply to share happiness. He wants citizens from various areas to be able to buy new clothes, shoes, bags, school supplies, prayer items, and other necessities for their children for Eid. That’s essentially the core idea,” Teddy conveyed, underscoring the compassionate motivation behind the event.
He elaborated that the entire initiative was born from the remarkably high public engagement and enthusiasm witnessed during the “Istana Untuk Rakyat” event, which was also held to mark the festive Eid holiday. This consistent public interest served as a powerful inspiration for the President to orchestrate another event that would further cement a sense of community and shared joy.
100,000 Coupons Distributed to Residents
In a significant move to support the public, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya revealed that the government distributed an impressive 100,000 shopping coupons to attendees at the cheap market in Monas, Central Jakarta, on Saturday (March 28). Each of these valuable coupons holds a worth of Rp 500,000, offering substantial purchasing power to beneficiaries.
These coupons are strategically designed for dual utility: they can be redeemed for essential basic necessities (sembako) and also for purchasing products from MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). “We distributed 100,000 coupons, each valued at Rp 500,000. These can be used for basic foodstuffs and also for various goods. What kind of goods? Well, this simultaneously aims to boost our MSMEs and local traders,” he stated, highlighting the dual benefit of consumer aid and economic stimulus. Merchants from renowned markets like Tanah Abang, Pasar Senen, and Pasar Ular, along with several other markets across Jabodetabek, were brought to Monas by the UMKM Minister, Pak Maman, to sell their goods, which the government then purchased through these coupons.
Teddy clarified that members of the public attending the event could obtain these coupons completely free of charge and immediately redeem them at the various stalls within the bazaar area. Further detailing the coupon’s value breakdown, he explained, “So, for one Rp 500,000 coupon, Rp 300,000 is allocated for basic necessities, while the remaining Rp 200,000 can be exchanged for goods from MSMEs and small traders. That’s roughly the allocation.”