Deputy Governor Of DKI: Ordering Ondel-Ondel Preserving Cultural Greatness

Civil Service Police Unit secures Street Ondel-ondel (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said that controlling buskers using the traditional Betawi art, ondel-ondel, is the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government's way of maintaining the nobility of Betawi culture.

According to Deputy Governor Riza, national culture, including Betawi arts such as ondel-ondel, must be placed in a good place.

"Not intended to earn money by singing and so on. We will find a place for those who have been singing," said Riza when met in Kamal Muara, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, as quoted by Antara, Sunday, March 28.

According to Riza, the Culture Service has made a good concept. "And there is guidance from the Culture Service," said Riza.

DKI Deputy Governor Riza assessed that the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly affected the people's economy. However, that is not an excuse to disrupt public order by busking on the highway.

"Lately, ondel-ondel is quite common, yes we see it on the road, it is quite disturbing to the order. We don't want these ondel-ondel to be on the road," said Riza.

According to him, the original Betawi art should be appreciated by placing it in the best place which is not on the roadside for busking and so on.

"Yes, it has become a means of earning a living. Hopefully, we can find a solution," said Riza.

Riza said that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has a principle that all policies that are made must be in the best interests of the community.