Jakarta (BERITAPOLITIK.ONLINE) — In a recent statement, Heru Budi Hartono, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat, revealed that President Joko Widodo has been consistently distributing basic food packages since 2014 to aid the community in meeting their essential needs.
“Since the beginning of 2014, the contents have always been basic food items. Why? Because these are essential needs of the people, such as cooking oil, rice, sugar, and tea,” stated Heru during an encounter at the Merdeka Palace yard in Jakarta on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Heru elaborated that since 2014, he has been accompanying President Jokowi on every official visit to various regions.
He recounted how President Jokowi instructed the preparation of 5,000 food packages by the Presidential Secretariat for distribution within 24 hours.
“For instance, during the earthquake in Palu, or the floods in Bogor where he couldn’t land, these are the kind of aids. So, in every corner of Indonesia that the President visits, preparations need to be made, ideally within two days or even 24 hours,” explained Heru.
President Jokowi himself participated in the distribution of basic food packages to people passing through the front yard of the Merdeka Palace, specifically along Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Central Jakarta.
Recipients of the aid ranged from online motorcycle taxi drivers, Public Facility Maintenance Agency (PPSU) officers, to members of the general public, who received packages containing 5 kilograms of rice, cooking oil, biscuits, and tea bags, all packed in white bags labeled “Assistance from the President of the Republic of Indonesia.”
Heru further clarified that President Jokowi’s decision to distribute food aid was driven by his concern for those still in Jakarta amidst the annual exodus ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
“It’s the President’s habit to get closer to the people, especially as we enter the end of Ramadan and approach Eid al-Fitr, he pays attention to that,” Heru remarked.
