DKI Awaits Turkey's Decision To Change The Proposal For Naming Ataturk Street To The Name Of The City

Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria/DOC VOI- Rizky Adytia

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria admitted that the DKI Provincial Government is waiting for the Turkish government's decision, in this case, Ankara province, regarding the naming of roads in Jakarta.

Initially, Turkey wanted the street name to use the name of Turkey's first president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. However, it has drawn criticism from a number of parties. Therefore, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara will provide input so that Turkey provides an alternative name other than Ataturk.

"The information we got from the Ambassador, the Indonesian Embassy will propose the names of the cities. The Turkish side will determine the names," said Riza at City Hall, Central Jakarta, Monday, November 1.

However, the final decision is not entirely in Turkey's hands. Riza said that if the name of the street in Jakarta chosen by the Turkish government was still deemed inappropriate, the DKI Provincial Government would re-open a dialogue.

"Even though Turkey has decided on the name later, there is still room for us to discuss it because this is in our territory," said Riza.

For information, the plan to rename a street in one of the streets of the Menteng area, Central Jakarta, with the name of Turkey's first president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, has sparked protests.

Protests against the plan to name Ataturk Street were expressed by Deputy General Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Abbas, Chairman of the DKI Jakarta PKS Regional Leadership Council Khoirudin, and Gerindra politician Fadli Zon.

This objection was also conveyed by the Chairman of the DKI DPRD, Prasetyo Edi Marsudi, to the Secretary-General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (Secretary-General of PBNU) Ahmad Helmy Faishal Zaini.

Apparently, in the near future, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Indonesia. This was revealed by President Joko Widodo through his Instagram account today.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Indonesia next year," said Jokowi, quoted from the @jokowi account, Sunday, October 31.

Jokowi said that they discussed the plan in a bilateral meeting with President Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in La Nuvola, Rome, yesterday.

"The visit of His Excellency President Erdogan will certainly strengthen Indonesia-Turkey relations. We are waiting," said Jokowi.