TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently says the flavor and overall quality of local coffee franchises are barely distinct to imported ones that have established a business in Indonesia.

“Is our coffee not up to par? Try visiting Kopi Tuku, or Kopi Kenangan. I tried them both, there is no difference [compared to international brands],” said the President during the national discount shopping day (HBD Indonesia 2019) at the Senayan City Hall on Thursday, August 15.

The state-leader then compared the prices offered by local and import coffee franchises, which he said sees local products priced considerably cheaper at almost a third of its import competitors.

Not only did he compare the prices, but he also confessed that he is bewildered by the massive presence of non-local coffee shops that are placed in strategic areas at shopping centers. He also called for local mall managements to look at Australia as an example of promoting local products at the forefront of shopping malls.

“The coffee shops are at the mall’s front area, which everyone would know what I am referring to, I don’t need to name the brand,” he said. “Why don’t we copy [Australia’s] great strategy.”

President Jokowi then asked the Indonesian Shopping Centers Tenants Association (Hippindo) to better-accommodate local coffee franchises in strategic areas of a mall. He went as far to urge the association to report to him if any of its members refuse to cooperate.

FRISKI RIANA