DKI Provincial Government Receives Input To The Trust Council For The Unity Of Betawis Regarding Post-IKN Cultural Advancement

JAKARTA - Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono opened the first congress of the Betawi Unity Trustees Council (MAPKB). Heru appreciated the traditional institutions that united Bamus Betawi and Bamus the 1982 Betawi Tribe.

"I express my deepest appreciation to the MAPKB extended family who have been contributing to the progress of development in the city of Jakarta, which is currently transforming into a global-scale business city," Heru said in a video broadcast released at the congress event, DKI City Hall, Friday, June 9.

In this congress, MAPKB submitted a number of recommendations regarding the promotion of betawi after the transfer of the Indonesian capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara, East Kalimantan.

Heru also hopes that MAPKB as part of Jakarta can actively participate in advancing the potential of citizens. This can be realized by encouraging local economic development to realize Jakarta as a global city.

"Hopefully the recommendations and input of the results of this congress can be our input in determining the strategy of preserving Betawi culture as part of Indonesia's local wisdom which we must uphold," said Heru.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the MAPKB, Marullah Matali, explained that the congress took the title (the theme) "Betawi Kompak, Jakarta Sukses, Indonesia Maju, from Betawi to Indonesia". It should be noted that according to census data, Betawi people in Jakarta are estimated to be around 28-30 percent.

"However, there are also Betawi people who occupy the cities of buffer areas where representatives are present, from Bekasi, Tangerang, South Tangerang, and Depok. In addition, there are also Betawi migrant communities in several provinces, cities, and districts, such as Riau Islands Province," said Marullah.

Marullah revealed that the dynamic times had an impact on the dynamics of the Betawi people. In this case, MAPKB is ready to synergize with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to make Jakarta a Global City.

"Because of the holding of this event, it is dedicated to the good of the City of Jakarta, even after Jakarta is no longer the capital city later. Hopefully, Betawi's relationship with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will be stronger, the more harmonious it will be to build better Jakarta in the future," concluded Marullah.

The Governor of DKI Jakarta for the period 2007-2012, Fauzi Bowo (Foke) who was also present at the congress, admitted that he was grateful for the MAPKB Congress. As a native of Betawi, he said the Congress could unite the Betawi people in Jakarta and its surroundings.

"Hopefully this unity will last and continue to be sustainable to be able to support the development of Jakarta in the future. If the Betawi people, sorry, the harsh terms are messy, how can we strengthen their potential to support the development of Jakarta in the future," he added.