Jakartans, Let's Hunting Betawi Souvenirs at Monas

As we know, to pamper Jakartans, Jakarta Provincial Government has launched Lenggang Jakarta food court at the National Monas (Monas) area, Central Jakarta. 

This is good. We don't have to find souvenirs at other places but just go to Monas

To further enliven it, the city decided to set up Betawi Store Outlet that sells Betawi souvenirs that was inaugurated by Jakarta Acting Governor, Sumarsono last Thursday.

Betawi Souvenir Outlet in Lenggang Jakarta Monas Inaugurated

The Betawi Store Outlet is cooperation results between Jakarta Bamus Betawi with Jakarta Tourism and Culture Dept. and Jakarta Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade (KUKMP). It is as the form of realization on Gubernatorial Regulation No. 229/2016 on Implementation of Betawi Cultural Preservation.

"This is good. We don't have to find souvenirs at other places but just go to Monas," he stated, when being met at Monas, Sunday (4/2).

Yes, in the outlet, people can easily find a variety of Betawi souvenirs, foods and beverages, starting from ondel-ondel (Betawi giant effigies), kembang kelapa (coconut tree made from paper), gigi balang (wooden ornamentation), sadariah shirts, kebaya kerancang (tradition blouse), Betawi Batik attires, pangsi shirts, kerak telor (spicy omelet) and bir pletok (ginger drinks with spices).

"The outlet itself has been opened since last Thursday. Most visitors prefer to buy bir pletok from small-big size. The small is sold at Rp 20,000 and the big one at Rp 25,000," explained Raden Arya Rahmatullah, a guard of Betawi Store Outlet.

Arya expressed bir pletok that made of wood cup, lemongrass, ginger and cinnamon is very popular among visitors. It is fresh and making healthy.

He added, in one day, it could be sold around 20-30 bottles. "Every holiday, the number of buyers could double than regular days," he furthered.

Since being inaugurated last week, the seller's income is always increasing. "Since last Saturday, my income has touched Rp 6 million," he expressed.

The outlet opens every day (Monday-Friday) at 9 AM-7 PM and every weekend (Saturday-Sunday) at 8 AM-8 PM.

"I am optimistic the visitor will be increasing in the near future," he stated.

Irawndi, Head of Jakarta KUKMP) Dept. admitted his dept. begins reproducing Betawi souvenirs.

"It is still under process. Indeed we're reproducing the souvenirs again. Considering the visitor enthusiastic has started to rise," he uttered.