D

uring a visit to Sofifi, the newly inaugurated capital city of North Maluku province, President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo urged local governments across the nation to develop cities based on their unique heritage, instead of foreign models.

Jokowi was in North Maluku on Friday to see how Sofifi had developed since it was declared capital of the province in 2010. Jokowi later traveled to Ternate and Tidore islands during his second day of touring the eastern part of the country.

During the event in Sofifi, Jokowi repeatedly cajoled North Maluku Governor Abdul Gani Kasuba, local administration officials and local residents to incorporate the unique characteristics of the city into its development.

'€œThe unique identity of a city is important so the memories about the place remain with those who visit it,'€ Jokowi said, adding that Tidore'€™s culture should be incorporated into the development plan for Sofifi.

Jokowi said he expected North Maluku officials, as well as officials in other parts of the country, to promote local culture in urban planning.

'€œI am often annoyed [with those who] construct a building and a house with Spanish architecture. Why don'€™t we adopt our own unique architectural styles with local materials and local contents,'€ Jokowi said.

But some in the audience appeared to have different tastes from the President.

An official employed by the local youth and sports agency told Jokowi that he wanted Sofifi to be a metropolis instead.

'€œThe development in the eastern part of Indonesia will have to compete with what has been achieved in the western part of the country. God willing, Sofifi will be a metropolitan city in North Maluku,'€ the local official said in an impromptu dialogue with Jokowi.

Jokowi was quick to respond to the official: '€œDon'€™t allow this city to become metropolitan, it will only end up like Jakarta.'€

Before the cheer from the crowd subsided, Jokowi continued with his statement saying that local governments should also develop their regions by protecting the environment.

'€œDevelopment should take place without damaging the advantages a city has: oceans, mountains and greenery,'€ he said.

He also called for public participation in designing development plans for cities in the country.

'€œTherefore, there will be a sense of ownership of the city,'€ he said.

Later in the dialogue, Governor Kasuba asked Jokowi to offer assistance in constructing a road network in the province.

He also wanted Jokowi to help turn the province into a center for the country'€™s maritime and fisheries industry due to its massive potential.

The President responded by saying he would pay great attention to the province and that the central government had earmarked Rp 3 trillion (US$229 million) for road construction in the region this year, in his effort to start developing the eastern parts of the country.

After the public dialogue, Jokowi and his entourage paid a visit to a community health center in Sofifi, where he distributed the Indonesia Health Card (KIS) under the national health insurance (JKN) program to local residents.

The President visited neighboring Tidore Island later in the afternoon, where he received an honorary royal title from the Tidore sultanate.

Jokowi wrapped up his visit in North Maluku on Friday before flying to Jayapura, Papua. In Papua, he is set to visit Sentani market and join the groundbreaking ceremony for both a development project for the 2020 National Games (PON), for which Papua will be the host province, and also the Holtekamp Bridge, which will link Jayapura to other areas.