Prabowo: Jabodetabek is the Largest Metropolitan Area in the World
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated that Jabodetabek is the largest metropolitan area in the world, driven by a population of 42 million people within the Jabodetabek agglomeration zone.
“We are witnessing an important step in the nation’s development and transformation plan; that Greater Jakarta, Jabodetabek, has effectively become perhaps the largest metropolitan area in the world, with 42 million people,” said Prabowo during the inauguration of the Jakarta LRT Kelapa Gading-Manggarai line on Wednesday (16/09/202<0xC2>6).
Prabowo went on to discuss the management of the agglomeration area, which connects a megapolitan region that he believes is larger than many countries in the world. However, Prabowo expressed gratitude that it can be managed safely and democratically.
“That we can manage an agglomeration, a metropolis this large, 42 million—perhaps larger than many countries in the world—and we can manage it safely, in a democratic yet orderly atmosphere,” said Prabowo.
He cited the positive cooperation between central and regional leaders, such as the current relationship between himself and the Governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung. He noted that despite competing in the general election, they are able to work together as public servants.
“The best example of Indonesian statehood is that I, as President of Indonesia, lead the central government, and Mr Pramono Anung, as Governor of Jakarta, leads the Jakarta regional government. We come from different parties and we competed in the election, but we can cooperate and respect one another because we are aware, in our hearts, that we were chosen by the people,” said Prabowo.
Consequently, Prabowo expressed his pride regarding the inauguration of the Jakarta LRT connecting the Manggarai and Kelapa Gading areas today. He remarked that he did not expect Jakarta to possess such a connected transportation system within just a few years.
“It was mentioned that 5-6 or 10 years ago, who would have thought we could have a transportation system like we have now. Here in Manggarai, there is the LRT, KRL, Transjakarta, Transjabodetabek, and the airport train; this is becoming a transport hub, and later, residential towers will be built here for low-income citizens,” he said.
“The Governor reported that Jakarta’s growth is increasing, companies that were previously sluggish are now rebounding, and investment has risen remarkably. Therefore, my fellow citizens, this shows that when leaders can cooperate and work together through ‘gotong-royong’ (mutual aid), this nation will rise to become an extraordinary nation,” he concluded.