No More at Monas, Pramono Wants Betawi Eid 2026 to Be Held at Lapangan Banteng

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, together with the Chairman of the Betawi Custom Council, Fauzi Bowo. (VOI/Diah Ayu Wardani)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wants the 2026 Betawi Eid celebration to be held at the Lapangan Banteng Park, not at the National Monument (Monas) like in previous years.

The proposal was conveyed by Pramono in line with the renovation process of Lapangan Banteng, which he said would be completed soon and integrated with the A.A. Maramis Building. He assessed that the area would become a new public space that is representative for Betawi people's major activities.

"Later, the Betawi Eid which is usually held at Monas, this time I propose why [not] at the Banteng Square? Banteng Square is currently being renovated and hopefully will be completed soon. It will be connected to (the building) A.A. Maramis. The place is spacious and nice," said Pramono at the Akbar Kaum Betawi Gathering at the MH Thamrin Museum, Central Jakarta, Sunday, February 15.

Lebaran Betawi is an annual cultural agenda that is routinely held in Jakarta as a gathering event as well as affirmation of the identity of the Betawi community in the Capital City. This activity usually takes place after Idulfitri and is enlivened by the community.

For the past few years, the Betawi Lebaran celebration has usually been held in the National Monument (Monas) area. The event is filled with cultural parades, traditional art performances, culinary bazaars, to prayers together.

Usually, the series of events begins with the procession of ondel-ondel, tanjidor, door frames, to the appearance of lenong and gambang kromong. Pramono wants the Betawi people to be the first to use the Banteng Field after the renovation is completed.

"I want the first to wear it when this is finished is the Betawi people as the host. So it will have a meaning. Because I know one of the things that will develop in the future is Lapangan Banteng," said Pramono.

In addition to Lebaran Betawi, Pramono also touched on the importance of commemorating the haul of Betawi ulama and figures. This activity, according to Pramono, is also one that should be held because it will be attended by tens of thousands of residents.

"Then, I want the main ulama and community leaders, such as Husni Thamrin (MH Thamrin) to be commemorated. But if later all residents in Jakarta who are present more than 20-50 thousand at Monas, then we will pray together, together with the Betawi people, to ulama who have services, that's what I want," explained Pramono.

Pramono also asked the DKI Provincial Government, especially the DKI Jakarta Culture Service and the National and Political Unity Agency (Bakesbangpol), to seriously prepare the agenda. He emphasized the role of the DKI Provincial Government must be optimal so that Betawi activities are not just ceremonial.

"Therefore, I really hope that we will prepare, in this case, the DKI Jakarta Government committee," he said.

"Don't use Monas for prayers only for others. Why not use it by the Betawi people themselves? In fact, only the Madura people who hold prayers, tahlilan at Monas, I allow. Even The Jakmania. Cook, this one has a house, a place, everything, doesn't hold it for that?" continued Pramono.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Betawi Custom Council. Fauzi Bowo (Foke), stated that his party had prepared a number of agendas to welcome Ramadan and Lebaran Betawi.

In a series of activities leading up to Lebaran Betawi, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta said there would be a joint fast-breaking until the tradition of andilan or cutting buffalo together to be distributed to those in need.

"Then there is Lebaran Betawi which is planned according to the advice of the Governor, at Lapangan Banteng. This is Lapangan Banteng which will be completed renovated and hopefully this is a very meaningful historical backdrop for the future progress of the Betawi people," said Foke.