Pramono urges new Forkabi board to contribute to Jakarta's development
Jakarta (ANTARA) - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung hopes that the newly installed central leadership board of the Betawi Children’s Communication Forum (DPP Forkabi) for the 2026–2031 term will be able to make a tangible contribution to the development of the capital.
“The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government appreciates Forkabi’s inauguration. As Governor of Jakarta, I truly want the Betawi community to be compact and harmonious, working together with the DKI Jakarta Government to build Jakarta. Hopefully, with this inauguration, Forkabi will become more solid and deliver an even more concrete contribution,” said Pramono at Jakarta City Hall on Friday.
Pramono said that since the start of his leadership alongside DKI Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno, the provincial government has been committed to making Betawi cultural values an important part of Jakarta’s identity. This commitment has been realised through the use of traditional Betawi attire, such as Ujung Serong, Kebaya Encim, and other distinctive Betawi clothing, at a number of official inaugurations within the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.
Moreover, Jakarta’s transformation into a global city must continue alongside the preservation and advancement of Betawi culture as the city’s identity.
He also affirmed the importance of implementing Law Number 2 of 2024 concerning the Special Capital Region of Jakarta Province, particularly its mandate on the preservation and advancement of Betawi culture.
“Jakarta must not become a global city while its Betawi culture disappears. That is why we must ensure Betawi culture continues to flourish and that its benefits are felt directly by the community,” said Pramono.
“In welcoming the next 500 years of Jakarta, there are two things I want to do relating to the contribution of the Betawi community to their city in the religious sphere: the printing of 1,000 copies of the Quran for the general public and a Quranic recitation competition (MTQ) starting from the RT/RW level,” Pramono explained.
Fauzi Bowo, Chairman of the Betawi Community Council’s Adat Council, expressed hope that Forkabi would become an open organisation capable of acting as a motivator, dynamiser, catalyst, and unifier of the Betawi community.
Forkabi is also expected to build collaboration with various parties in supporting Jakarta’s development. Fauzi likewise appreciated the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to giving the Betawi community ample space to develop their customs and culture.
Meanwhile, DPP Forkabi Chairman Abdul Ghoni affirmed his resolve 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 delivers real benefits,” he said.
On the same occasion, Riano P Ahmad, General Chairman of the Betawi Consultative Body (Bamus), called on Forkabi to take a strategic role in supporting Jakarta’s development.
According to him, Forkabi must be part of the ranks that safeguard, monitor, and help ensure the success of the various strategic programmes of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government under the leadership of Governor Pramono Anung.