President Asks Ministers to Make Breakthroughs Before Eid

Jakarta, May 25 (Antara) -- President Joko Widodo ordered his ministers here on Monday to make breakthroughs to ensure security of staples, transportation services and infrastructure, ahead of the Islamic fasting month and Eid' al Fitr. "Breakthroughs must be made, and their impacts must be felt by the people. There must be progress in the fields of transportation and infrastructure, and people's needs must be made available at affordable prices," he said during a limited cabinet meeting in his office. As the fasting month and Lebaran (Eid holiday) approach, ministers must start calculating and preparing the staples the public will need. At the meeting, during which the subjects of fishermen, agriculture, tourism, small and medium businesses, infrastructure and energy were discussed, President Joko Widodo also asked for progress reports from ministries concerned to be made known to the people. "They were brought to a limited cabinet meeting because they will be our focus in 2016. This year, we hope our priority programs for the people are implemented," the president remarked. Jokowi, as he is also known, further noted that they will focus on development projects meant for the grass roots and people in border and rural regions. With regard to the implementation of the programs, he urged ministers and heads of state institutions to be able to make breakthroughs without violating regulations, to ensure that development is expedited and its impacts are immediately felt by the people. "Fishermen must be the first to be empowered. We must support the marginalized," he emphasized. On agriculture, the head of state pointed out that harvests and the price and supply of rice must be secured. Moreover, in connection with tourism, he said the development of the sector must be focused in the eastern regions as well as on small and medium businesses to create job providers instead of job seekers. On infrastructure, President Jokowi called for securing the routes of Eid holidaymakers and food supplies in particular so people can enjoy their vacation with peace of mind.