Anies Allocates IDR 7 Billion For Renovation Of The Bharata Puppet Building

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has allocated a budget of around Rp. 7 billion to support the renovation of the Wayang Orang Bharata building.

"This place looks like it really needs renovation, so God willing, we will support the renovation," said Anies when watching the Wayang Orang Bharata show in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, June 9.

He hopes that when the renovation is complete, the building will become a reference for Jakarta's cultural arts activities.

Not only that, the puppet show in the legendary building is one of the people's choices to fill time or visit during holidays.

"Many families today are looking for where I can take their children to take advantage of the loose period including the holiday period and hopefully this will be an option," he said.

Not only that, he continued, efforts to preserve and develop culture can be carried out so that cultural arts activities can continue to develop even though times are constantly changing.

On the other hand, said Anies, cultural activities are not necessarily handed over to the market mechanism.

For that, the government must be present, especially since cultural arts activities have been hampered for almost two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So because of that, we feel we have to take responsibility. So difficult times and others, indeed everyone had difficulties yesterday, but this is one thing that must be saved from the difficulties (COVID-19)," he said.

Anies was accompanied by the Head of the DKI Culture Service Iwan Henry Wardhana and a number of high-ranking officials of the DKI Jakarta BUMD.

Anies' presence to watch the puppets was also accompanied by the chairman of the Bharata People's Wayang Society, Pujo Setyo.