Jakarta DPRD Leadership Urges Strengthened Collaboration to Advance Jakarta
Various urban community issues were discussed during an audience between the Jakarta DPRD and the youth organisation, Jakarta Maju Bersama (JMB). Key topics included citizen participation, youth awareness, and transportation challenges in the Thousand Islands. The audience took place in an atmosphere of open and collaborative discussion, with JMB presenting several aspirations closely related to the needs of the community, particularly young people and residents of the islands.
The Deputy Chairman of the Jakarta DPRD, Wibi Andrino, welcomed the presence of the community. He noted that JMB is not a new organisation in monitoring various social and development issues in Jakarta, with its volunteers actively voicing the problems faced by the public on the ground. Wibi stated that the involvement of communities and youth organisations is vital in helping the Jakarta DPRD understand the real needs of citizens, ensuring that policies and oversight align with the actual conditions experienced by the community.
“We at the Jakarta DPRD are very honoured to be visited by our friends from JMB. We hope the collaboration we work on in the future can bring benefits to the people of Jakarta,” Wibi said in a statement. One major point of focus was building public awareness regarding a sense of ownership of Jakarta. Wibi emphasised that as citizens enjoy the results of development, they must also work together to maintain the city. He noted that the concept of ‘good citizenship’ must be strengthened within the increasingly dynamic urban society, ensuring citizens understand both their rights and obligations.
Wibi also emphasised the importance of creating collaborative spaces between the DPRD and community organisations, stating that all members of the Jakarta DPRD are opening more communication channels so that citizen aspirations can be absorbed directly. He added that a collaborative approach ensures that policies and programme planning are more targeted and based on actual community needs rather than mere assumptions.
During the same session, the Executive Director of JMB, Gana Ramadhan, stated that the audience was conducted to convey various issues currently faced by Jakarta’s residents. Gana noted that the DPRD is a strategic partner in driving the resolution of these problems, citing Wibi Andrino’s track record of actively fighting for the needs of Jakarta’s citizens. JMB hopes the established collaboration will produce concrete solutions for the community. Regarding the role of youth, Gana noted that young people have a significant influence on Jakarta’s future, as they dominate the city’s population. Building social awareness and concern among the youth is essential for the urban environment, public policy, and the city’s sustainability.
In addition to community participation, the audience addressed transportation issues for residents of the Thousand Islands. The Chief of PR for JMB, Hilmi Mulya Setiawan, highlighted that high sea transportation costs remain a barrier to mobility for island communities. He noted that residents of the Thousand Islands still rely on Department of Transportation (Dishub) vessels to reach mainland Jakarta, but the travel costs are considered expensive for some. Consequently, JMB proposed a study for a more affordable Transjakarta Laut (Sea Transjakarta) service, which could also boost the tourism sector in the Thousand Islands. Beyond costs, Hilmi also highlighted technical issues in sea transportation, including fuel scarcity and uncertain vessel schedules, suggesting that more affordable options should be prioritised to facilitate inter-island mobility.