"Maintaining local cultural wisdom is very important because the intervention of western civilization and of other countries is very pressing," Jokowi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that preserving local cultural wisdom is vital to ward off infiltration of foreign culture.

"Maintaining local cultural wisdom is very important because the intervention of western civilization and of other countries is very pressing," Jokowi said while attending the Betawi Lebaran at Betawi Cultural Village of Setu Babakan in Jagakarsa in South Jakarta on Sunday.

According to him, maintaining and preserving the culture are not only carried out in the form of physical development, but also in the form of arts, architecture and typical food.

He stated the development of Betawi Cultural Village of Setu Babakan will continue to be carried out, including internal development and the widening of road.

Jakarta Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat revealed Jokowi offered three commitments for Betawi culture development.

One of the commitments was building Fatahillah Mosque, a mosque around the city hall.

"Jokowi has also completed and inaugurated the construction of the first Jakartas Great Mosque of Hashim Ashari as part of his commitments to the development of Betawi culture," he said.

Furthermore, Jokowis second commitment was to preserve Betawi ornaments, including the use of traditional Betawi clothes and Betawi typical architecture of grasshopper teeth.

"All buildings in Jakarta have typical architecture of Betawi. It is the commitment of President Jokowi," he said.

Jokowi has offered his third commitment to develop Betawi culture which was centered in Setu Babakan.

"We along with deliberative agency of Betawi community have decided that the celebration of Betawi Lebaran will be concentrated every year in Setu Babakan," he stated.

Hidayat said the president has high dedication to the development of Betawi culture as the Betawi ancestors and community were famous for being egalitarian, tolerant and respectful of each other.

"It is true that Betawi community can live to preserve the environment," he said.

Hidayat said that the first President of Indonesia Soekarno has set precisely Jakarta as the state capital and a miniature of Indonesia.

He also doubted the discourse of the movement of the state capital to other provinces as Jakarta symbolized the miniature of Indonesia.

"It would be better if there is no a discourse about the movement of the state capital," he stated.

After delivering a speech, Hidayat accompanied Jokowi to visit every building in Setu Babakan.

The event was also attended by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya, Head of Creative Economy Board Triawan Munaf, Chairman of Muslim Clerical Council Maruf Amin and also the Vice Governor-elect of Jakarta Sandiaga Uno.

The celebration of the Betawi Lebaran featured various attractions and arts along with Betawi food.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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