Pramono Urges MTQ Selection in Jakarta to Start at RT Level, Not at Provincial Level

JAKARTA — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has urged that selections for the Qur’an reading competition, Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ), could be organised starting at the rukun tetangga (RT) level. The aim is for Jakarta residents to become accustomed to reading the Qur’an properly from a young age. ‘If this is done, more children will genuinely aspire to read the Qur’an well,’ he said. Earlier, at the opening ceremony of the beduk competition at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) on Saturday, 7 March 2026, Pramono also asked that the contest begin from the RT level. He argued that religious-themed competitions can enrich the mosques in Jakarta. The PDI-P politician went on to recount his active involvement in mosques, which has yielded him expertise in beating the beduk. ‘One of my hobbies is that if I’m in a competition, I am willing to be one of the winners; whether I beat the beduk well or not, I will definitely be among the winners,’ he said. ‘And yesterday I proved it—before the Mayor and others, my beduk beating is not just random beating,’ he added. ‘Where did the Governor learn to beat the beduk? If you don’t live in a musalla, madrasah, or pesantren, it’s unlikely,’ Pramono said. In addition, he noted that MTQ and beduk competitions conducted from the lower levels can bring communities closer together. Pramono also referred to the provincial government’s plan to hold a haul of Betawi ulama in June 2026. The event is planned to take place at Monas, Central Jakarta. ‘Any ulama who wishes to participate, feel free for the habaib and ulama to speak. We will hold it at Monas, and it will strengthen our harmonious coexistence and religious diversity,’ he said.