Governor Pramono Anung Urges Optimism as Jakarta Marks 499th Anniversary
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has urged the public not to lose optimism about the city’s future amid the various challenges it faces. The message was delivered by Pramono during the 499th Jakarta Anniversary commemoration ceremony at the National Monument in Central Jakarta on Monday (22/6/2026).
“To all Jakarta residents, I urge you never to lose optimism about this city. Because history has taught us that Jakarta always rises without leaving its citizens behind,” he said, as reported by Berita Jakarta, the official news site of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Pramono acknowledged that the current situation is not easy. Geopolitical escalation affecting global economic growth dynamics has also impacted Jakarta. Nevertheless, Jakarta’s inflation remained under control at 2.45 per cent throughout 2025. Investment realisation reached Rp270 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, while Jakarta’s economy grew by 5.59 per cent, contributing 16.67 per cent to the national economy.
The Governor’s call for optimism was made because the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is committed to improving citizens’ welfare through various ongoing programmes. In the education sector, the provincial government continues to maintain access to education through the Jakarta Smart Card for 707,477 students, the Jakarta Superior Student Card for 15,825 university students, and a diploma legalisation programme coupled with expanded job opportunities through labour-intensive schemes.
In the health sector, the Jakarta White Troops remain on standby to provide home-based health services, visiting residents who are ill and have limited mobility. “Additionally, the number of beneficiaries receiving basic needs assistance for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children has also been expanded,” he said.
To support safe, comfortable, and affordable mobility, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is expanding public transport services to the Greater Jakarta area and providing free transport services for 15 community groups. Under Pramono’s leadership, Jakarta is also preparing the operation of LRT Phase 1B from Velodrome to Manggarai, the construction of MRT Phase 2A, and the development of an integrated pedestrian deck in the Dukuh Atas Transit-Oriented Development area.
To stimulate economic and tourism activity, area revitalisation is being carried out in various locations such as Kota Tua, Blok M, Pasar Baru, Glodok, and Chinatown as new hubs.
Beyond the challenges of global economic pressure, Jakarta also faces the threat of climate change. Pramono stated that the El Niño phenomenon has the potential to trigger extreme drought, impacting food security, clean water availability, and public economic activity. Therefore, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has prepared anticipatory measures, including increasing green open spaces, expanding access to clean water, building absorption areas, controlling floods, and developing urban farming.
To create a clean and comfortable Jakarta, Pramono highlighted the importance of resolving the waste problem. Through a waste sorting movement starting at the household level, Pramono believes a clean and healthy Jakarta will be realised. He further stated that the 499th Jakarta Anniversary celebration is not merely an annual event, but a cross-generational endeavour to realise Jakarta as a global and cultured city.
“Let us make the 499th Jakarta Anniversary commemoration a momentum to strengthen collaboration, maintain unity, and foster optimism towards Jakarta’s 500th year as a world-class city,” Pramono said.