Pramono Plans to Showcase Betawi Culture to the World During President of Kazakhstan's June Visit

JAKARTA — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wishes to promote Betawi culture more widely, including on the international stage. One such initiative is the “Betawi Night” event planned during Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Jakarta in June. Pramono announced this whilst opening an iftar gathering with the Betawi Community Council (MKB) at Tangkuban Perahu Mosque in South Jakarta on Monday, 2 March 2026. “In June, the President of Kazakhstan will visit. I recently received Indonesia’s Ambassador in Kazakhstan, who suggested organising a ‘Betawi Night’ in the presence of our leadership, including the President, ministers and others, along with the Kazakh President,” said Pramono on Monday. During his tenure, Pramono aims for Betawi culture to extend beyond mere documentation or ceremonial events. “I have repeatedly stated and conveyed to Betawi leaders that I want Betawi traditions to be staged on world stages,” he said. He pointed to the official dress code at Jakarta City Hall, which now requires traditional Betawi attire—encim kebaya for women and traditional Betawi clothing for men—replacing conventional suits or standard kebaya traditionally worn at provincial government functions. The former Cabinet Secretary views this as a concrete approach to preserving and strengthening Betawi identity in the capital. “This includes all inauguration ceremonies, everything is Betawi attire. There’s no more suit wearing—slant-cut traditional dress, Betawi kebaya, encim kebaya, and so forth,” he said. He also announced plans to revitalise the Husni Thamrin Museum with a budget of 15 billion rupiah, which will serve as a venue for students and the public to learn about Jakarta’s history and notable Betawi cultural figures. Additionally, the Jakarta Provincial Government, together with the Betawi Community Council, will hold an annual haul (commemoration) of Betawi scholars each June at the National Monument as tribute to the contributions of Betawi cultural leaders.