President Jokowi seeks residents' forgiveness at Deli Serdang market

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) bid farewell and sought forgiveness from residents near the end of his term during the visit to Delimas Raya public market in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Tuesday.

According to the Presidential Secretariat statement received here, the president received a warm welcome from residents in the market before visiting some stalls to observe commodity prices.

Jokowi then greeted residents flocking to the Delimas Raya market and delivered his statement through a megaphone. He was glad that the food prices were improving and becoming more stable.

"On this opportunity, I want to bid farewell to all of you since I will no longer be your president next month," the president remarked.

The president's tenure will end on October 20, 2024, when his successor, Prabowo Subianto, will take office.

Jokowi also sought forgiveness for policies and decisions enacted during his decade-long leadership that the people found difficult to welcome.

Nearing the end of his tenure, Jokowi has increasingly projected a message of apology in some of his remarks. He notably sought forgiveness four times during his annual address before the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on August 16.

"Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and I asked for your forgiveness. We regret every disappointed heart, unfulfilled hope, and unachieved expectation," the president noted in his annual address.

Meanwhile, during his earlier visit to the Soponyono public market in Surabaya, East Java, on September 6, the president also sought forgiveness from residents. At that time, he also used a megaphone to convey his remarks.

"Since I will conclude my tenure on October 20, I bid farewell and ask for forgiveness from you all. I apologize for our mistakes," Jokowi stated.