Manisan jambu gantung di bambu
Selamat bekerja gubernur baru
Muliakan dirimu, sejahterakan rakyatmu
These four lines of pantun —a type of Malayic ABAB rhyme poem popular in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia— were recited by Betawi cultural activist Yahya Andi Saputra to welcome Pramono Anung and Rano Karno as Jakarta’s new governor and vice governor.
Saputra penned the lines to wish the new leaders luck for the next five years while reminding them to dignify their positions by helping over 10 million Jakarta residents prosper.
His words perfectly encapsulated Jakartans’ eagerness to see their new leaders deliver on their campaign promises through concrete action.
President Prabowo Subianto swore in Pramono and Rano —popularly known as Pram and Doel— along with 959 regional leaders in a single ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
After the swearing-in, Pram and Doel headed to Jakarta City Hall.They arrived around noon local time, dressed in white attire and accompanied by their wives.
Upon arrival, they received a festive Betawi-style welcome, featuring musical and palang pintu performances.
They then made their way to the hall’s pavilion, where they were warmly greeted by religious figures who had been eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Former Jakarta governors were also in attendance, including Sutiyoso, Fauzi Bowo, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, and Anies Baswedan, as well as former acting governor Teguh Setyabudi.
In the city hall courtyard, a huge stage displayed a good luck message for Pram and Doel. The stage was set up for a people’s feast planned for the afternoon.
The song Si Doel Anak Betawi from the deputy governor’s famous 90s TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolahan played in the background.
Next came the leadership handover ceremony, during which acting governor Setyabudi passed the gubernatorial baton to Pramono and Rano.
“Good luck with your duties,” Setyabudi told his successors.
In response, Governor Pramono thanked Setyabudi for his and his team’s four months of service in the capital city.
He praised the former acting governor for working with the power transition team to lay a solid foundation for the 40 priority programs the new administration will implement in its first 100 days.
Pram assured the press that his administration would welcome criticism, calling it a "vitamin."
The arrival of the new leaders has sparked fresh hopes and expectations among Jakartans, including Saputra.
As reflected in his poem, Saputra expects Pram and Doel to make their presence felt among the people.
He wants the new leaders to experience what Jakartans feel, heed their voices, and become an integral part of the Jakarta community.
Pram and Doel are also expected to fulfill Jakartans’ hopes for a comfortable city governed by a clean, responsible, and dependable administration.
Saputra said he has longed for leaders who prove their worth through actions, not just words.
As a cultural activist, the Jakarta resident expressed hope that the new governor and deputy governor will focus more on promoting and preserving Betawi culture and arts, including incorporating them into school curricula at all levels.
He said subjects related to the Betawi people and their culture should be mandatory.
This wish aligns with Law No. 5 of 2017, which mandates the state and the people to treasure Indonesia’s cultural diversity.
The Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) has urged the government to sincerely implement the law for the sake of Betawi culture and traditions, which are observed by Jakartans and residents of surrounding regions.
Yet another pressing task awaits Pram and Doel: addressing Jakarta’s traffic and urban transportation issues.
During his campaign, Pram expressed his resolve to encourage more Jakartans to switch to public transportation.
The commitment was well received by the Institute for Transportation Studies (INSTRAN), which noted that several legal instruments support Pram’s plan for urban mobility in Jakarta.
Jakarta Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2012 on Spatial Planning for 2030 aims to have 60 percent of residents using public transport, with an average minimum speed of 35 kilometers per hour on the city’s roads.
Presidential Regulation No. 55 of 2018 on the Transportation Master Plan for the Greater Jakarta Area sets a similar target: at least 60 percent of mobility in the region should be supported by public transport.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Regional Regulation No. 5 of 2014 stipulates that only those with a garage or parking space are eligible to own private vehicles.
These provisions clearly show that Pram-Doel's vision for a public transport-oriented Jakarta aligns with the city's long-term plans to combat traffic congestion and air pollution.
Pram and Doel have taken the leadership baton, carrying the hopes and expectations of millions of Jakartans. Now, it is their turn to maintain Jakartans' trust with tangible action in their first 100 days of service.
Related news: Megawati urges Jakarta's Pramono-Rano to follow Prabowo's orders
Related news: Jakarta's Rano Karno assures plans stay intact amid budget cuts
Translator: Lia Wanadriani, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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