President Prabowo Provides 200 Electric Rickshaws to Kediri
Kediri (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has provided 200 electric rickshaws for rickshaw pullers in Kediri City, East Java, to empower them.
The funding for this initiative comes entirely from the President’s personal funds, not from the State Budget (APBN).
Firman Dahlan, Director of Planning and Business Development at the National Solidarity Movement Foundation, stated that this assistance reflects the President’s direct concern for rickshaw pullers.
“The use of electric rickshaws is expected to reduce physical strain. Previously, they had to use all their strength to pedal the rickshaws,” he said during the handover of the electric rickshaws at the Kediri City Hall on Wednesday evening.
He added that each electric rickshaw is worth around IDR 22 million.
“This event, held outside of Kediri City, is truly extraordinary. We came here to deliver the electric rickshaws from the President. Hopefully, this assistance will be beneficial and ease their efforts to provide for their families,” he said.
Kediri Mayor Vinanda Prameswati expressed her gratitude for the 200 electric rickshaws for rickshaw pullers in Kediri City. She also noted that the handover was particularly special as it coincided with the one-year anniversary of her leadership in Kediri City, aiming to realize a city that is ‘MAPAN’ (Progressive, Religious, Productive, Safe, and Charming).
“This handover of electric rickshaws is an effort by the President to promote environmentally friendly transportation and improve the welfare of the community, especially rickshaw pullers,” she explained.
“With the electric rickshaws, rickshaw pullers no longer need to pedal. In addition, it is hoped that they can be more productive. The electric rickshaws will make it easier for them to earn a living for their families,” she said.
The Mayor also mentioned that the handover of electric rickshaws in Kediri City was packaged as ‘Becak On The Road,’ with activities including a tour, donations, free health checks, affordable market operations, religious lectures, a joint breaking of the fast, and a prize draw for an Umrah pilgrimage.
She added that in the future, relevant departments can also prepare follow-up programs to strengthen the tourism ecosystem and empower rickshaw drivers, including support for supporting facilities such as the development of public electric charging stations.
The rickshaw pullers who received this assistance had previously passed a selection process. They met the criteria for receiving electric rickshaws, falling within the 1-5 decile range and having an average age of over 55 years.
The City Government also hopes that the electric rickshaws will support the Kediri City Tourism program.
During the event, a signing ceremony was held for the handover of the electric rickshaws by the Director of Planning and Development of YGSN, a representative of the rickshaw pullers, and the Mayor of Kediri.
There were also activities such as the distribution of basic food packages, the presentation of Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificates from the Ministry of Culture, and others. There was also a religious lecture by one of the caretakers of the Al Falah Islamic Boarding School in Ploso, Kediri, KH Muhammad Abdurrohman Al Kautsar or Gus Kautsar.