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pparently disappointed with the latest trends of the annual Pekan Raya Jakarta (PRJ) or Jakarta Fair, Jakartans ' particularly of the older generation ' have started to complain about its organization, demanding a return
to its initial concept as a 'fair for people from all walks of life'.

Their concern is reasonable as the fair has now become more business-oriented, rather than a venue for all Jakartans to learn more about their culture and most importantly enjoy themselves.

Jakarta Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is aware of local residents' concerns as he has publicly stated his plan to have the organization of the PRJ evaluated, including the possibility of bringing the event back to the National Monument (Monas) area in Central Jakarta, from its current location at Kemayoran Fair Ground, also in Central Jakarta.

This year's fair kicked off on Thursday. Nearly all large corporations are using the event to promote their products. Organizers say 2,650 businesses will take part in the fair that will run until July 7. They proudly announced that 260
of the country's top bands would entertain visitors during the 32-day event.

The area of concern for Jokowi and Jakartans is actually the shift in the focus of the event from when it was first organized at Monas in 1968. People's interests were the first priority for the organization of the event back then.
The venue was moved to Kemayoran, the former site of Kemayoran Airport, in 1991.

To involve the business community in such a great event attracting millions of people is not wrong, as it is reasonable to allow the organizer to reap the benefits of the fair. But bringing the fair back to its original concept of something that is interesting to Jakartans should be the priority of the city administration and organizer. Should the business community get economic benefit, it should be treated as a side benefit, not the main objective.

As Jokowi wishes, the organizer must give more space to small and medium enterprises to display their products at the fair. The organizer also has to give more room to traditional cultural shows, not only from Jakarta, but from other parts of the country, or even from other countries, to perform at the event.

Changing the feel of the fair would contribute to the effort to preserve the rich cultures of the capital and country.

However, the city administration cannot ignore the fact that Jakarta, like other capitals, also functions as the country's business center, which requires adequate promotional events for the business community to display products both for local and international buyers.

Therefore, the government and all stakeholders also need to think of organizing a separate business promotional event that could be bigger than the Jakarta Fair.

By returning the fair to its original mission, we would expect the face of Jakarta to reflect its true color as a cultural city, but without leaving behind its function as a commercial center.