Pramono to Create Dedicated Gathering Spaces for the Elderly in Jakarta

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung will prepare a venue that can serve as both an office and a gathering location for the elderly in Jakarta. He stated that the need for a meeting place is important so that senior citizens have a space to maintain social ties and remain active. This was conveyed after he received aspirations from elderly representatives during the 30th National Elderly Day commemoration in Ancol, North Jakarta, on Tuesday. The plan emerged after Pramono received input from the senior citizens. “When the mothers spoke earlier, the language was simple but the request was profound. They asked for a place for social gatherings as well as an office,” Pramono said. He explained that a location had previously been prepared, but the site is now being used to support the implementation of Sekolah Rakyat, one of the government’s priority programmes. “It was prepared previously, but it is being used for Sekolah Rakyat. Because our priority is indeed Sekolah Rakyat, one of the President’s programmes which we fully support in Jakarta,” he stated. Nevertheless, Pramono assured that he will find another location to serve as a gathering place for the elderly community in Jakarta. He even joked with the Head of the Jakarta Social Services Agency, Iqbal Akbarudin, urging him to immediately fulfil the request. “But earlier I told Mr Iqbal, ‘Mr Iqbal, if you don’t fulfil the elderly’s request, you’ll be cursed. So please find a meeting place for the elderly in Jakarta until you get one’,” he said. On that occasion, Pramono emphasised that the Jakarta Provincial Government continues to strive to improve the welfare of the elderly through various programmes. In addition to social assistance via the Jakarta Elderly Card, senior citizens also receive free public transport facilities, health services, and the Elderly School programme. According to Pramono, the most important thing is to ensure that the elderly continue to feel productive, happy, and receive attention from their families and the government. “The most important thing for the elderly is to feel they remain productive, happy, and above all, to continue receiving affection from their families,” he added.