Rano Karno Explains Why Tolerance and Culture Are Key to Jakarta Becoming the Safest City

Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno has explained the reasons behind linking religious tolerance to Jakarta’s designation as the second safest city in Southeast Asia. He stated that this refers to the analysis of indicators used in the assessment of the index by an international institution. “The indicators we can capture are that we have started to build culture and enter into religious tolerance, making Jakarta safe, and that is the value point from an international institution,” he said when met in Kalideres, West Jakarta, on Sunday (12/4/2026). Rano also mentioned that cultural and artistic activities in the Bundaran HI area are part of the evaluation. “Well, the cultural activities, the artistic activities we carry out around HI are also part of the assessment,” he revealed. He added that social and cultural activities also impact the strengthening of the regional economy. “If we start from Christmas activities and end with last night’s halal bihalal, Jakarta’s fiscal has reached Rp67 trillion. Extraordinary, this means Jakarta’s economy is holding up,” he stated. He described this situation as a form of creative financing amid the reduction in regional revenue sharing (DBH) funds. “We all know that Jakarta almost lost revenue sharing funds of nearly Rp15 trillion last year. That’s why we are doing what is called creative financing,” he said. He assessed that this achievement is supported by tolerance among residents and Jakarta’s character as a global city that remains rooted in culture. Throughout this year, Jakarta has showcased its diversity through various cross-religious and cultural celebrations. “Throughout this year, Jakarta has shown its face as a city living in diversity through various cross-religious and cultural celebrations,” Rano said at the Jakarta Halal Bihalal event at Fatahillah Square, Kota Tua, West Jakarta, on Saturday (11/4/2026). The celebrations include grand Christmas carols, grand Chinese New Year, Ogoh-ogoh Festival, and grand Jakarta Bedug.