REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TANGERANG -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) here on Sunday asked parties to not say prices are going up while they are actually not He made the request after visiting "Pasar Anyar" traditional market in Tangerang, Banten province to check food prices.

"Do not say prices in the market are high because traders could get angry if no one came to their market to shop (because of that)," he said.

Jokowi who was accompanied by Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto during the visit bought some vegetables in the market.

President Joko Widodo (second right) talks to egg trader when visiting traditional market Pasar Anyar, Tangerang, Banten, Sunday (Nov 4).

Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of Prabowo Subianto, who is Jokowi's rival in the next presidential election in April next year, recently claimed during a visit to a market in Parung Panjang, Bogor, West Java, that the price of a tempe, soybean cake (traditional staple food) as well as other vegetable priced had gone up adding traders had complained to him about it.

Also read: Trade minister to check soybean price

Jokowi emphasized that "prices are stable. The prices of many items have even dropped. Indeed one or two prices have been up but fluctuation is a common thing," citing the price of meat that has gone up a bit while the price of egg has dropped.

"If you say prices in the market are high, mothers will not go the market but to supermarkets, hypermarkets or even shopping malls. So, please tell the fact when you visit a market. Tell about the prices as they are," he said.

On the occasion Jokowi called on traders to keep the market clean so that they can compete with supermarkets.

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