Betawi community honors Sutiyoso

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 06/28/2007 10:19 AM  |  Jakarta

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso has called on native Jakartans, known as Betawi, to make sure his successor as governor carried on his administration's efforts to preserve Betawi culture.

Sutiyoso said Tuesday his administration had used a bylaw to designate Situ Babakan in South Jakarta as a center for cultivating Betawi culture and arts.

He said the conservation area was necessary because many Betawi were abandoning ownership of their land and moving to the city's suburban margins.

""So I'm calling on the public to pay close attention to my successors to prevent them from ever using the conservation area for other purposes,"" the retired army general was quoted as saying by the Antara news wire.

The Betawi community, represented by deputy governor Fauzi Bowo, handed an award to Sutiyoso, who will end his tenure in October.

""This (award) is a way of Jakarta's residents showing their gratitude toward their leader,"" Fauzi said. --JP

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