TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan expressed his gratitude upon the newly-opened modern fish market inaugurated by President Joko Widodo or Jokowi which is located in Muara Baru, Kota, North Jakarta.

The Muara Baru Fish Market project, which was valued Rp150 billion, was initiated by the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister (KKP) and managed by the state-run fishery company Perum Perindo.

Anies thanked the central government for the construction. “Jakarta is a coastal city, but we barely feel so. With the modern fish market, inshallah, we will sense that Jakarta is the city in the coastal area,” said Anies on Thursday, March 14.

The Governor mentioned that the market was a present for Jakartans. The city administration, he added, would always support and hope for other fish markets in the capital city.

“We hope Jakartans will consume fish as their main nutritional menu in the future,” said Anies Baswedan.

During the market inauguration ceremony, President Jokowi said that since 2016, he looked forward to the construction of a modern fish market as that in Japan, Tsukiji Fish Market. Jokowi then demanded the KKP Minister Susi Pudjiastuti realized the project that was funded from the 2018 State Budget.

The 4.15 hectares of Muara Baru Fish Market has 894 wet markets and 155 dry markets, as well as supporting facilities such as cold storage, food court, packing room, sanitation system (IPALI), medical clinic, ATM center, gathering hall, and mosque. The operation of the modern market starts from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. local times.

FRISKI RIANA