Businesses told to give the people a break

JAKARTA (JP): Successful businesses should give people reasonable discounts on merchandise offered at the People's Market so that they can afford to buy the goods they need, a high-ranking city official said.

Idroes, the deputy governor in charge of administration affairs, said when opening the People's Market in the Monas parking lot in Central Jakarta on Tuesday that the bazaar should live up to its name by ensuring goods are affordable to low- income people.

The market is being held as part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, the chairperson of the organizing committee, said that the market offers various merchandise, including food and drinks, handicrafts, garments, bags, shoes, cosmetics and herbal medicines.

She assured that the prices of the goods offered are lower than elsewhere in the city.

The opening ceremony was attended by M.H. Ritonga, the City Council's chairman, several city senior officials and the Central Jakarta mayor.

She said the activity is sponsored by PT Unilever, PT Indofood, PT Mustika Ratu, PT Mayora, PT Bimoli, PT Kedaung Group, PT ABC Central Food, PT Texmaco, PT Pioneer and PT Ayam Merak. (32)