TEMPO.CO, Bogor - Market traders joined in Trader Market Committee (KPP) said the vice presidential hopeful number 02 Sandiaga Uno used them only as political tools to gain public votes.

KPP head Abdul Rosyid criticized Sandiaga’s campaign data-style which conducting impromptu visit or locally known blusukan to markets and saying that the price of basic commodities continued to increase. The campaign act, according to him, triggered anxiety among the market traders.

“By saying that [price hike of goods], we fear the public choose to shop at malls which offer definite price, rather than at market,” said Rosyid in Bogor, Sunday, Oct 21.

Rosyid said the fear was strengthened since Sandiaga had no concrete system to stabilize the price during his visits and talks with the market trader.

“He [Sandiaga Uno] attempts to stabilize the price but he does not have the system, so we see an indication of politicization to discredit the government by using us-market traders- as political tools,” said Rosyid.

Last week, the former deputy governor of Jakarta said the price of nine basic commodities increased in markets.

“We have a correct data that 65 percent of the community mentions the price hike of basic goods beset their economy,’’ said Sandiaga in housing complex Pondok Jurang Mangu Indah (PJMI), South Tangerang, Saturday, October 20.

Sandiaga Uno did not give further detail on the price hike of each good. The running mate of Prabowo Subianto mentioned the data was collected during his visit in Jombang Market, South Tangerang.

ADE RIDWAN YANDWIPUTRA