PRJ`s First Concept Starts Fade Away

Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ) or Jakarta Fair is the biggest yearly event in Indonesia for a month. PRJ was first held on 1968, and until now the celebration is always conducted. PRJ was firstly held in National Monument (Monas) on June 5th to July 20th 1968 and opened by President Soeharto. The first PRJ was called DF which is abbreviation of Djakarta Fair (old spelling) and gradually the spelling changed to be Jakarta Fair which more popular with Pekan Raya Jakarta.

According to the history, today's Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran is contrast. It shows foreign product and big industry. Kerak telor seller is placed along gutter

The Idea of Djakarta Fair was firstly proposed by Syamsudin Mangan who was  Kadin’s Head (Industrial and Trading Room). Mangan was proposed an event or exhibition to increase domestic trading production which begun to rise. Ali Sadikin as Jakarta Governor, or more familiar called Bang Ali, welcomed the plan in 1967.

Betawi historian, JJ Rizal said that Jakarta fair was formed with concept to give industrial space for citizens when Bang Ali led Jakarta, which means to celebrate their success, and have promotion. In reality it seemed far from concept of citizens industry from year to year.

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"According to the history, today's Jakarta Fair in Kemayoran is contrast. It shows foreign product and big industry. Kerak telor seller is placed along gutter," Rizal told beritajakarta.com, Sunday (6/15).

Even though the concept is far from the beginning, he added, it did not decrease the citizen enthusiasm. One of the causes is consumptive lifestyle.

Meanwhile, Head Jakarta Dept. of Tourism and Culture, Arie Budhiman, admitted there is nothing changed from previous and today's Jakarta Fair. "It entertains our people much and the entertainment is adjusted to the period," Budhiman explained.

He added that visitors demand to enjoy their holiday is also varying. "The product is dynamic and developed," he uttered.