Acting Jakarta governor Heru Budi Hartono has denied allegations that the cheap basic grocery markets held on Wednesday were related to the upcoming presidential election, saying that they were merely intended to help the people.
"We, the Jakarta provincial administration, had no other intention whatsoever. The main goal is to help the community and stabilize inflation," said Heru on Wednesday, as quoted by kompas.com news portal.
As a result, Heru asked the public not to misinterpret the intention behind the organization of the grocery markets.
The Jakarta provincial administration held cheap grocery markets at 44 points across the city to help maintain the stability of staple food prices in Jakarta.
The cheap groceries comprised rice, oil, flour and sugar. Each grocery package was wrapped in a bag with the inscription "Successful Jakarta for Indonesia".
The phrase is Heru’s official slogan since being appointed as acting governor.
Heru attended one of the markets located in Duren Sawit district office in East Jakarta, to review the grocery-distribution process. He was accompanied by East Jakarta Mayor M Anwar, and Jakarta Maritime, Fisheries and Food Security Agency head Suharini Eliawati.
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