T

he local administration invited religious leaders to City Hall on Tuesday to express its commitment to reducing social inequality in the city.

“I am grateful that the Mental and Spiritual Education Bureau held this gathering, because we are aware that it is important to maintain relations to exchange ideas and discuss problems occurring within society,” said Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan 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 is committed to reducing inequality.

“We want to convey the message that we are governor and deputy governor for all Jakartans. One of our main concerns, which I have addressed internally, is 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 the poor and the marginalized 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 the products of small enterprises such as food,” Anies said, referring to his plan to repeal a gubernatorial regulation that bans motorcycles from using the street.