Jakarta administration gets in record books

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta administration received a rare gift in honor of its 474th anniversary on Friday: a certificate from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) in recognition of its gathering together in one place approximately 10,000 people wearing Betawi (native Jakartan) traditional dress.

The museum also honored the government for serving various kinds of Betawi traditional foods and snacks at the ceremony marking the anniversary which was held at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta.

The men who attended the event wore Kemeja Sadariah (long- sleeved shirt with a collar similar to the Chinese collar) and a black cap while the women wore Kebaya Encim (Chinese-influenced long-sleeved blouse with a pinched waist).

City Governor Sutiyoso received the certificate from the museum director Jaya Suprana.

"Thousands of people wearing traditional clothes and the serving up of various traditional foods at the same event. It's never happened in any other province," Jaya said.

Most of the people attending the ceremony were administration civil servants.

Sutiyoso and his wife Rini, who also wore traditional clothes, took to the floor to dance to the traditional music.

Earlier in the ceremony, the governor had asked the civil servants to be modest, economical and realistic in facing life, and to avoid consumerism.

"I urge the administration's employees to work hard and improve their efforts to achieve the targets set out in the city budget," Sutiyoso said.

A series of events have been organized to celebrate the anniversary, which culminated on Saturday night with a fireworks fiesta at Ancol beach, North Jakarta. It was highlighted by the incineration of a statue depicted a hoodlum, locally known as preman, thus symbolizing the city's efforts to fight against the thugs.

A parade of decorated vehicles will take place along Jl. MH. Thamrin and Jl. Jend. Sudirman on Sunday. (jun)