'This is only half done. I expect it to be completed this year,' he told reporters.

The project to construct a Betawi cultural center on a 3.2-hectare plot of land located in the Setu Babakan Culture Village was initiated in 2011 during the term of former governor Fauzi Bowo, but it was not until last year that construction, which was halted for undetermined reasons, continued.

Jokowi said that the city would host various cultural events in the compound, which will have an amphitheater and Betawi traditional houses, namely Bapang, Pesisiran and Joglo.

'We will be able to watch Betawi traditional dance performances here and the houses can be used as changing rooms for the dancers. The most important thing is that we preserve the traditional houses,' Jokowi said.

Betawi Culture Village management head Indra Sutisna said that the compound was divided into three zones; Zone A (amphitheater and Betawi traditional houses), Zone B (gallery on Setu Babakan) and Zone C (Betawi art vocational school).

'We are still looking for an area for the school,' Indra said.

The city allocated Rp 291 billion (US$25.31 million) to complete the project throughout last year and this year.

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