Jakarta Hijab Festival Opens: Pramono Aims to Revive Tanah Abang Trading Centre

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung inaugurated the Jakarta Hijab Festival 2026 held in the Tanah Abang area of Central Jakarta. The event was organised to boost SME revival and rejuvenate the Tanah Abang trading centre ahead of Ramadan and Eid celebrations.

In his remarks, Pramono expressed surprise and joy at seeing the enthusiasm of Jakarta provincial government officials who participated in enlivening the event, including walking the catwalk modelling clothing purchased from Tanah Abang.

“I was truly surprised and delighted, and quite shocked. It turns out the City Hall fashion show is no less impressive than the actual thing. Their bravery is extraordinary,” Pramono said at Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (12 March 2026).

According to him, the event was deliberately held in Tanah Abang to attract the public’s interest in shopping at Southeast Asia’s largest wholesale centre. He stated that several merchants reported beginning to feel an increase in buyers, although not yet at optimal levels.

“When I arrived, I asked the merchants here. They all said there has indeed been an improvement, an increase in people shopping in Tanah Abang again. Although not yet at peak levels,” he said.

Pramono emphasised that the Jakarta provincial government wanted to assist in reviving trading activity in Tanah Abang. One of its efforts involved hosting various events capable of attracting public visits.

He also linked the event to the broader theme of the Jakarta provincial government in welcoming this year’s Eid celebrations: “Returning Home to Jakarta”.

“We are creating a new tradition that returning home to Jakarta is just as cool. So that places like Tanah Abang will become bustling again,” he said.

During the event, Jakarta provincial government officials, ranging from municipal administrators to state-owned enterprise directors, appeared as models showcasing various Muslim fashion items. All clothing worn was said to be purchased directly from merchants in Tanah Abang as a show of support for local SMEs.

Pramono hoped the Jakarta Hijab Festival could become an annual event capable of continuously driving the SME and trading sector in the capital.

“I hope the Jakarta Hijab Festival becomes an event that, if necessary, we can make an annual tradition,” he said.