Beky Mardani: Jakarta Must Have Betawi Customary Council

There have been many responses from various elements of the community regarding the plan to relocate the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) to Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan.

MAB will also strengthen the role and position of the value of Betawi local wisdom

One of the Betawi intellectual figures Beky Mardani mentioned that Betawian residents do not need to worry about the IKN program. Although it was no longer holds the title of the capital city, Jakarta would still be thick with Betawi culture.

"The capital city relocation won't eliminate local wisdom of Betawi community, such as ondel-ondel (giant Betawi effigies), gambang kromong (music ensemble), tanjidor (traditional Betawi music), silat (martial arts), and so forth," he conveyed, Sunday (3/27).

Kadin Chair: Jakarta Must Be a Special Region

He explained Jakarta will be projected as a global business city and economic center in the future. That means Jakarta could still attract visitors or tourists from other regions and abroad after no longer the status of the capital.

"It's like where there is sugar, there are ants," he expressed.

According to him, Jakarta has been known as a gathering place for various ethnic groups which cannot be separated from the great contribution of Betawi culture which can become the glue of other cultures in Jakarta.

"Therefore, if Jakarta no longer has the status of the capital city, Betawi local wisdom won't be lost,"

He assessed that Betawi culture with openness, egalitarianism, tolerance values would remain relevant and still needed by Jakarta. In addition, Jakarta's governance system must also be designated as a level 1 autonomous region after not having the capital status.

"If autonomy is not changed, there must be a strengthening of roles and functions such as Betawi Customary Council (MAB)," he said.

As the former chairman of Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) for the 2018-2021 period, he cited, the governance system in Papua was not only managed by the executive and legislature but also the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP).

"MAB functions as a consultancy institution for the provincial government in strategic policymaking. They will also strengthen the role and position of the value of Betawi local wisdom. So, it won't be lost in the Jakarta government system," he asserted.