Despite Rain, Residents Remain Enthusiastic in Attending Jakarta's 499th Anniversary Launch

Based on observations by detikcom, at 18:55 WIB, residents crowded the Pedestrian Plaza Festival Kuningan area to enjoy music performances, culinary delights, and various installations showcasing Jakarta’s journey from past to present. Despite being hit by rain, visitors’ enthusiasm did not wane as they enjoyed the series of entertainments and activities held until late at night.

One of the visitors, Azmi from Medan, said he learned about the event through social media and was interested in attending after seeing the various entertainments offered.

“What caught my attention two days ago was on my Instagram FYP. I saw it from Disparekraf Jakarta, so I started looking around. Because if it’s not interesting, we wouldn’t want to come, right,” said Azmi to detikcom at Plaza Festival Kuningan, Jakarta, on Saturday (9/5/2026).

“Especially for the young generation now. I see a lot that’s interesting, especially in terms of entertainment. And what really magnetised me to come tonight is Pee Wee Gaskins,” he continued.

Azmi hopes that Jakarta continues to develop into an even better city, both in terms of urban spatial planning and the harmony of its diverse community.

“Of course, I hope Jakarta becomes an even better city. Both in terms of urban spatial planning. And second, community harmony. That’s equally important, because there are many native residents here,” he said.

“One of them is that we also care for our Betawi friends. But there are also many Indonesians from other regional cultures, so we must live in peace for Jakarta to shine brighter,” he added.

Revitalisation of Rasuna Said and the Sort Waste Movement

Assistant for Economy and Finance (Asperkeu) of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Secretary, Suharini Eliawati, stated that there are two main concepts in organising the launch of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary in the H.R. Rasuna Said corridor.

She explained that the first concept of the event is to introduce the arrangement of the H.R. Rasuna Said area to the public, including the progress of dismantling the monorail pylon that has been stalled for 21 years and is targeted to be completed in June 2026. Meanwhile, the second concept is the launch of the ‘Keep Jakarta Clean: Sort Waste’ movement, which encourages public involvement in waste management from the source.

“As we know, waste is not only the responsibility of the provincial government, not just the government’s responsibility, but we involve the community from upstream, and tomorrow is the launch. Tomorrow, there will be a declaration where the community reads a declaration for sorting waste, and Insya Allah, hopefully tomorrow it will be attended by the Coordinating Minister for Food and the Minister of Environment,” she said.

Suharini added that the H.R. Rasuna Said corridor was chosen because it has historical and strategic value as the centre of diplomacy and economy in Jakarta. The Jakarta Provincial Government hopes that the arrangement of this area can revive economic growth around Pasar Festival.

“So if we know, H.R. Rasuna Said is a national female hero, that’s the first thing we want to convey again. Then second, it turns out that along the H.R. Rasuna Said corridor, there is a close diplomatic relationship. There are embassy offices, there is an economic centre here,” she explained.

“We want every time we launch, new hubs to emerge. Last year, friends remember, we opened at Blok M Hub, and then it became happening, right, the economic growth also spread, we want it to happen again,” she added.

Furthermore, Suharini said the Jakarta Provincial Government wants the launch of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary and the sort waste movement not to be just a government programme, but a joint movement by the entire community. According to her, Jakarta belongs to everyone, so every resident is expected to take responsibility and participate in welcoming Jakarta towards its fifth century.

The series of ‘DECLARATION OF THE SORT WASTE MOVEMENT AND LAUNCH OF JAKARTA’S 499TH ANNIVERSARY’ will continue on Sunday (10/5). In the morning, residents can join group sports activities, while in the afternoon to evening, music performances, community activations, and waste sorting campaigns will be held again.

This event is open to the public and can be attended for free at the Pedestrian Plaza Festival Kuningan area. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government invites the public to join in livening up the celebration while participating in the movement to keep the city clean as Jakarta enters its fifth century.