Jakarta – The Jakarta administration invited ulema and other religious leaders to City Hall on Tuesday to express its commitment to reduce social inequality in the city.
"I am grateful that the mental and spiritual education bureau held this gathering because we were aware that it was important to maintain such a relationship to exchange ideas and discuss problems occurring within society," said Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in a statement on Tuesday. The gathering was attended by members of the Jakarta Interfaith Communication Forum (FKUB).
Anies added that, along with his deputy Sandiaga Uno, he was committed to reducing inequality.
"We wanted to send the message that we are the governor and deputy governor for all Jakarta residents. One of our main concerns, which I addressed internally, was to solve the lack of attention [from the administration] in Jakarta," he said, adding that, in the future, the administration's policies would also accommodate poor and marginalized residents to boost the economy and create social justice in the city.
"One of the examples is by allowing motorbikes to pass through Jl. MH Thamrin because they are used for delivering products of small enterprises such as food," Anies said, referring to his plan to revoke a gubernatorial regulation that bans motorcycles from using the street. (wnd)