Jakarta Holds Betawi Night During the Visit of the President of Kazakhstan

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo will hold a "Betawi Night" event when Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visits Jakarta in June.

Pramono said the event was held to introduce Betawi culture to the international arena.

"In June the President of Kazakhstan will be present, coincidentally I received the Indonesian Ambassador who was in Kazakhstan, they proposed that there was something called Betawi Night in front of our leaders, whether it was the President, ministers and so on, with the President of Kazakhstan," said Pramono Monday, March 2.

As the capital's leader, Pramono wants Betawi culture to become the "soul" of Jakarta.

Even since he took office as the Governor of Jakarta, Pramono has implemented the entire staff to use the pointed end clothes and kebaya encim on the inauguration day.

This outfit replaces the usual suit or kebaya that is usually used in official events of the DKI Provincial Government.

Not stopping there, according to Pramono, Betawi culture must be displayed in various formal and cultural activities.

"So I have said repeatedly and I have also conveyed to Betawi figures, I want this Betawi tradition to be staged on the world stage," said Pramono.

As a form of effort to preserve Betawi culture, Pramono also plans to carry out revitalization at the MH Thamrin Museum. The budget prepared for the revitalization of the museum is IDR 15 billion.

Pramono admitted that the revitalization plan emerged after he made a direct visit to the museum some time ago.

The DKI Governor assessed that MH Thamrin's figure had a major role in the history of Jakarta and the Betawi community so that he deserved better respect.

Furthermore, Pramono also proposed that the history and language of Betawi could be included in the local content curriculum (mulok) in Jakarta schools.