Military groups hold cheap bazaar

Military groups hold cheap bazaar

JAKARTA (JP): Cooperatives linked to the Jakarta Military
Command started weekly bazaars yesterday selling essential goods
cheaply.

The first of the markets, which are targeting densely
populated areas, opened at Sarua Lama village in Ciputat,
Tangerang, yesterday morning.

Flooded with local residents, the cooperatives sold rice from
Rp 1,100 (8 U.S. cents) to Rp 2,000 per kilogram, sugar at Rp
2,250 per kilogram, eggs at Rp 3,000 per kilogram, cooking oil
for Rp 3,900 per kilogram and instant noodles at Rp 1,000 for
three packs.

Like many military operations, yesterday's event was opened
with a speech by City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie
Sjamsoeddin, read by Col. Dermawan, chairman of one of the
cooperatives.

"It's a concrete step by the Armed Forces' to involve itself
in helping the people deal with the shortage of basic commodities
in this current economic crisis," Sjafrie said in his statement.
(ivy)