PRIME NEWS POST

The INDONESIAN, (Jakarta)— Eki Pitung, Chairman of the Betawi Customary Council Bamus Betawi, extended congratulations on Jakarta’s 499th anniversary. On this occasion, he noted that the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta still faces a substantial agenda of unresolved issues before the capital can truly establish itself as a competitive global city that preserves its cultural identity.

According to Eki Pitung, fundamental challenges continue to confront the city. These include persistently poor air quality—frequently exceeding national safety thresholds—with measurable impacts on public health.

He also highlighted that the provision and extent of Green Open Spaces remain below ideal levels and fall short of benchmarks expected of a world‑class city.

Decent housing provision remains another key concern. Densely populated neighbourhoods with tightly packed settlements carry significant fire risks, and fire incidents continue to occur regularly across various parts of Jakarta.

In basic services, access to clean water remains a frequent complaint among residents; Eki observed that issues regarding water resource management and distribution systems have yet to be fully resolved.

Waste management also continues to trouble the public, particularly given the mounting burden placed on the integrated waste processing facility at Bantar Gebang, which receives the bulk of Jakarta’s refuse volume.

“Jakarta remains caught in recurring, long‑standing problems—flooding and severe traffic congestion are still not resolved. Added to these are growing social concerns and rising urban poverty, driven by the increasing cost of living,” Eki Pitung stated.

For this reason, he urged that urban development should not be limited to physical infrastructure and city branding efforts alone. Greater priority must be placed on strengthening the quality of human resources.

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Education, employment, economic development, and healthcare systems should be regarded as core priorities for the regional administration, he argued.

On the cultural front, Eki Pitung commended Governor Pramono Anung for what he described as consistent efforts to integrate Betawi heritage and expression into official activities, as well as for maintaining active engagement and dialogue with community leaders.

At the same time, however, he expressed concern over internal divisions within the Betawi community, which remain fragmented across various groups and affiliations.

He emphasised that the government must maintain impartiality and avoid being swayed by political allegiances or sentiments that risk deepening rifts among Betawi organisations and figures.

“Regional elections are now behind us. Every citizen has an equal right to contribute to Jakarta’s development. The government must act as a unifying force—not appear to favour certain groups while ignoring others,” he stressed.

Eki expressed hope that all strands of the Betawi community would be treated fairly, harmoniously, and inclusively in the city’s development plans. He believes that unity within the Betawi community and strong collaboration with the Provincial Government form the essential foundation for building a truly global city that stays rooted in its heritage.

“As Jakarta approaches its 500th year—five centuries—in 2027, I hope all conflicts and differences within the Betawi community can be settled constructively. Unity, peace, and a spirit of shared purpose must be our principal assets to preserve and build a better Jakarta,” he concluded.