Pramono urges new Forkabi board to contribute to Jakarta's development

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung hopes the new board of the Forum Komunikasi Anak Betawi (Forkabi) for the 2026–2030 period will make a real contribution to the capital’s development. “The Jakarta Provincial Government appreciates the inauguration of Forkabi. As Governor of Jakarta, I really want the Betawi community to be united, harmonious, and work together with the DKI Jakarta Government to build Jakarta. Hopefully, with this inauguration, Forkabi will become more solid and provide real contributions,” Pramono said at City Hall on Friday. Pramono stated that since the beginning of his leadership with Deputy Governor Rano Karno, the DKI Provincial Government has been committed to making Betawi cultural values an important part of Jakarta’s identity. This commitment is demonstrated through the use of traditional Betawi attire, such as Ujung Serong, Kebaya Encim, and other distinctive clothing, in several official inauguration ceremonies within the DKI Provincial Government. He added that Jakarta’s transformation into a global city must go hand in hand with the preservation and promotion of Betawi culture as the city’s identity. He also stressed the importance of implementing Law Number 2 of 2024 concerning the Special Capital Region of Jakarta, particularly the mandate regarding the preservation and advancement of Betawi culture. “We must not let Jakarta become a global city while its Betawi culture disappears. Therefore, this culture must continue to develop and its benefits must be felt directly by the community,” Pramono said. “In preparation for Jakarta’s 500th anniversary, there are two things I want to do regarding the contribution of the Betawi community in the religious field, namely the printing of 1,000 Qurans for the public and organising an MTQ starting from the RT/RW level,” he explained. Chairman of the Betawi Community Customary Council, Fauzi Bowo, expressed hope that Forkabi would become an open organisation capable of acting as a motivator, dynamist, catalyst, and unifier for the Betawi community. Forkabi is also expected to build collaboration with various parties to support Jakarta’s development. Fauzi also appreciated the DKI Provincial Government’s commitment to providing ample space for the Betawi community to develop their customs and culture. Meanwhile, Forkabi DPP Chairman Abdul Ghoni affirmed the organisation’s determination to become a strategic partner of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. “The Forkabi organisation I lead is legally recognised by the state based on a decree from the Indonesian Ministry of Law. We are committed to ensuring this organisation provides real benefits,” he said. On the same occasion, General Chairman of the Betawi Consultative Body (Bamus Betawi), Riano P Ahmad, invited Forkabi to take a strategic role in supporting Jakarta’s development. According to him, Forkabi must be part of the front line that safeguards, supervises, and helps ensure the success of various strategic programmes of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Pramono Anung.