Pramono's Wish for Betawi Dodol

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo wants Betawi dodol to become one of the offerings at various events at Balai Kota as a way to preserve the cuisine. “I request that for events at City Hall, we order from this place,” Pramono said after attending the Ngaduk Dodol Betawi event at Dodol Nyak Mai, Jalan Moch Kahfi II, Kelurahan Srengseng Sawah, Kecamatan Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Friday. He also witnessed the traditional process of making Betawi dodol first-hand. Pramono also urged that Betawi cuisine be preserved. This is because, he said, he regards dodol making as one of the symbols of gotong royong (mutual cooperation). “Therefore, it takes three to four people to stir in turn,” he said. Dodol Nyak Mai is a family business in the Betawi Cultural Village area Setu Babakan, South Jakarta. The business was founded by Nyak Mai in the early 1990s and is now continued by the second generation, namely Mpok Djuanih and Bang Udin. According to Pramono, Dodol Nyak Mai has a distinctive flavour and is widely known by the public. Therefore Pramono emphasised that the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI Jakarta) continues to encourage the development of traditional culinary enterprises such as Dodol Nyak Mai. The support includes modernising production equipment without erasing the traditional values that are its hallmark. “The aim is to modernise, but not to lose the traditional elements. It is there that the distinctive character and excellence lie,” Pramono said. The Jakarta Provincial Government is also ready to provide support if required, including production equipment and strengthening the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Furthermore, Governor Pramono urged that Betawi cuisine have packaging and marketing strategies that are more appealing so that it can become a souvenir for tourists visiting Jakarta. “Betawi cuisine is actually very tasty, but it has not been marketed well. We need to make packaging more attractive so that anyone coming to Jakarta can try this dodol,” he said.