TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Youth organization founded by the former deputy governor of Jakarta Sandiaga Uno dubbed RuangSandi gave away a total of 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer to traders of traditional markets on Thursday, April 2.

The community chief Dimas Akbar opined that traditional markets are the heart of the country’s economy. “So we cannot imagine how households and industries will survive if the operation of traditional markets stops,” said Dimas through a press release on Thursday, April 2.

He assessed that these sellers were unable to halt operating although the government appealed to all to practice remote working or work from home in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

“We support them to continue trading while complying with the physical distancing policy,” Dimas added, explaining the reason that his organization distributed hand sanitizer to encourage traders to maintain hygiene.

Chairman of the Senen Market Traders Association (PPPSI), Nedi Setiadi, expressed his gratitude for this movement, hoping more elements of the community would care about traditional market traders. "Because regardless of the situation, markets must provide basic needs to the people," he said.

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