President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is scheduled to visit Tanah Abang market with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday afternoon after a formal meeting at the State Palace.

It was reported by kompas.com that Tanah Abang's Blok B market had been specially prepared to welcome the two state leaders.

"We are here to make security preparations for the visit of the President and Australia's Prime Minister. We are told that they will be here at 3 p.m.," Cpt. Nasution, an Indonesian Military (TNI) officer told kompas.com on Thursday.

Visitors could no longer park their vehicles inside the Blok B building's parking lot as the space was being used for police, the TNI and the President's security detail (Paspampres).

The pavement in front of Blok B, which is always swarming with street vendors, was also cleared and cleaned.

However, traffic congestion is still visible in Blok A and Blok B of Tanah Abang, the largest textile and garment trading center in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is the first country Turnbull has visited after being inaugurated as Australia's prime minister in September. They will talk about bilateral issues and attempt to improve ties after a shaky relationship developed under former prime minister Tony Abbot. (rin)(+)

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