Newly installed Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan (third right, in white) and Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno (second right, in white) signal greetings upon their arrival at City Hall on Monday (16/10). Anies-Sandi will lead Jakarta for the 2017-2022 term.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Reconciliation was among the issues Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan called for in his first speech at City Hall after his inauguration at the State Palace on Monday (16/10/2017). In his speech, Anies included words from languages spoken by Jakarta’s many ethnicities.
Anies spoke in front of the audience for 22 minutes. He spoke of many things, including the need to build the capital city together.
He reaffirmed that he and Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno were inaugurated to serve all Jakartans and not just their voters.
“The bonds that were broken, let us rebind them and reattach them together. Let us all gather the scattered energy to build the city together,” said Anies, who then used a term in the Batak language.
Anies said that to achieve this goal, he would revive the people’s assembly. This will be done to achieve development based on equality.
The Jakarta election that Anies and Sandiaga won was mired with issues of ethnicity, religion, race and intergroup relations (SARA). This sparked the concern and worry of many observers.
Anies reaffirmed that Jakarta should be an arena to apply all Pancasila principles. “Pancasila must become a reality in this city. We must apply all of its principles in our daily lives,” he said.
He also urged all Jakartans to celebrate not only diversity, but also unity. “Unity and friendliness must be promoted,” he said in the Aceh language.
Dividers in society must be torn down, including the economic gap between the rich and the poor.
The audience applauded Anies’ speech.
Inauguration
Previously, Anies and Sandiaga were inaugurated at a ceremony led by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace. The President gave no speech at the ceremony, which was attended by several state ministers, regional officials and political party leaders.
The handover of gubernatorial duties, which was attended by Home Affairs Ministry director general of regional autonomy Sumarsono and several figures from pro-government political parties, was not attended by Anies’s predecessor Djarot Syaiful Hidayat.
Djarot and his family were in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, one day after his governorship ended. Jakarta Secretary Saefullah was at the ceremony in his stead.
A special plenary session at the Jakarta City Council was cancelled because it was not yet scheduled in the consultative body (Bamus). Anies was to deliver his first political speech in the session. No reason was given for the cancellation.
After the inauguration ceremony, Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party chairman Prabowo Subianto said that Anies and Sandiaga were now governor and deputy governor of all Jakartans.
“Surely, as good leaders, they need to serve and protect all Jakartans, whether or not they voted for them,” he said.
Anies and Sandiaga were also asked to accommodate everyone, instead of only certain interests.
Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang said that post-election consolidation was important to foster a peaceful atmosphere. That way, the government will be able to implement development plans effectively – especially in Jakarta with its severe and complicated problems.
Immediately working
After the handover ceremony, Anies in his first speech as governor said that he would start working immediately. He said that he and Sandiaga had been preparing themselves for the past six months.
Sandiaga said that he and Anies would focus on four major issues that had attracted public attention, namely the Smart Jakarta Card Plus (KJP Plus), OK OCE (One Kecamatan One Center of Entrepreneurship) program, public services and the high cost of living.
“Public services are highlighted by many. There are questions whether Anies and Sandiaga can maintain a good level of public services. We will improve things,” Sandiaga said.
He also said that he would focus on the 2018 revised city budget and the regional mid-term development plan (RPJMD).
Meanwhile, Sumarsono said that after the pair was inaugurated as Jakarta governor and deputy governor for the 2017-2022 period, Anies and Sandi would have to implement several national strategic programs. These programs include preparations for the 2018 Asian Games, the completion of LRT and MRT projects, and other program that fall under the city administration’s authority.
