Pramono Wants Jakarta Markets on Par with Tokyo and Bangkok, Attracting Officials and Tourists Alike
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung wants the capital’s markets to move up a class. He hopes markets will no longer serve merely as places for economic transactions, but also as social and cultural spaces — even comfortable tourist destinations for all walks of life, including state officials.
Pramono made the remarks in his address at the FGD on “Transforming Jakarta’s Markets: Leveraging Pasar as Urban Catalysts for Inclusive and Sustainable City Development” at Jakarta City Hall on Monday (23/2/2026). He cited markets in Japan and Bangkok that have become city icons and tourist attractions.
He noted that visitors to Tokyo invariably make time to visit Tsukiji Market. Similarly, tourists in Kyoto head to Nishiki Market, whilst Bangkok boasts the renowned Chatuchak Market.
“When you visit Tsukiji Market, regardless of whether your background is as a minister, president, prime minister or governor, anyone can enjoy themselves. Sitting down eating sushi, sashimi, having coffee. That is what we don’t yet have here,” Pramono said.
According to him, a number of Jakarta’s markets are of comparable quality. He pointed to Pasar Santa and the Glodok Chinatown area as having enormous potential.
“I hope that one day the Governor of Tokyo will eat there, along with ministers and parliamentarians. That would mean we have reached that level,” he said.
Pramono noted that Jakarta has 153 markets with total transactions exceeding Rp 150 trillion per year and approximately 286,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He believes this strength must be managed in a more integrated fashion and brought up to international standards.
He also touched on the Jakarta Provincial Government’s experience of organising a QRIS digital payment competition across 20 markets. The result was a nearly 47 per cent increase in transactions within a fortnight.
“This means our people adapt quickly. It is simply a matter of how we design markets to be more comfortable, cleaner and more orderly,” he said.
According to Pramono, improving markets is not solely about physical upgrades but also about transport access and the broader ecosystem. He cited plans for integration with the MRT, which he believes could revitalise Pasar Baru and Glodok if access is made easier.
“If the infrastructure is ready, access is good, it is safe, and there is no parking racketeering, then markets can become catalysts for development,” he said.
Pramono stressed that going forward, markets must become public spaces that make people want to return — not just for shopping, but also for socialising, tourism, and enjoying the city’s atmosphere.
“Markets must move up a class. They should not just be places to buy and sell, but places where anyone, including state officials, feels comfortable coming to eat,” he said.