DPRD Jakarta's Kenneth Urges Ragunan Zoo to Expand Digital Payment Options

The ticket purchasing system at Ragunan Zoo has come under scrutiny once again. Several visitors have complained that the on-the-spot ticket purchase process remains impractical and inflexible, particularly for those arriving by private vehicle. The complaints arise because visitors who do not yet have a JakCard must first purchase the card with cash before they can transact to enter the Jakarta Provincial Government-owned recreational area. This situation has drawn specific attention from Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth. He has asked Ragunan’s management to conduct a thorough evaluation of a payment system considered to still inconvenience some visitors. The Commission C councillor stressed that the digitalisation of transactions at provincial government-owned tourist sites must make things easier for the public, not hinder them during their leisure time. “The digitalisation of transactions is certainly a good step and must be supported. However, its implementation must not make it difficult for people who want to enjoy public facilities,” Kenneth said in a statement on Thursday (11/6/2026). The man familiarly known as Bang Kent highlighted that the issue requiring attention is not just about ease of payment access, but also about the transparency and accountability of local revenue management. According to him, there is a practice that appears to condition or force visitors to pay in cash due to an inflexible payment system, and this must be evaluated seriously. “If visitors are indeed forced to pay in cash because of a rigid payment system, this must be a serious concern. Because a cash system carries a higher risk of local revenue leakage and opens up space for irregularities or suspected illegal levies if not strictly supervised,” he stated. The Chairman of IKAL (Lemhannas RI Alumni Family Association) PPRA Batch LXII said that all transactions related to public services should ideally be recorded electronically so they can be properly audited and accounted for. According to him, the use of a digital payment system is also important to minimise the potential loss of local revenue. “All public service transactions must be transparent, recorded electronically, and auditable at any time. In this way, the potential for budget leakage, loss of local revenue, and illegal levy practices can be suppressed as much as possible,” he said. Kenneth also highlighted the limited payment options available to Ragunan visitors. Amidst the public’s growing familiarity with digital transactions, he believes management needs to provide more payment alternatives. “Currently, the public is accustomed to using QRIS, cross-bank debit cards, digital wallets, and online ticket purchases. Therefore, there is no reason for public services to limit payment choices which potentially inconvenience visitors,” Kenneth explained. Kenneth even compared the payment system at Ragunan with the Ancol recreation area, which he assessed had provided various transaction options for visitors. Therefore, he is pushing the Jakarta Provincial Government and Ragunan Zoo’s management to immediately deliver a payment system that is more modern, integrated, and easily accessible to all levels of society. “I will request an explanation from the management and related agencies regarding the current payment system, including the mechanism for managing and recording all incoming receipts. The public must not be disadvantaged by an inflexible system, while on the other hand, the Jakarta Provincial Government potentially loses revenue due to suboptimal governance,” he asserted. Kenneth added that as one of the favourite tourist destinations for Jakarta residents, Ragunan must prioritise the principles of public service that are easy, transparent, and accountable. “Public services must make things easier, not more difficult. The good intention of digitalisation must not result in a system that confuses the public and leaves loopholes for irregularities in the management of local revenue,” he concluded.