Karlina, 53, came all the way from Bogor, West Java, to Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque in Menteng, Central Jakarta, to meet the new Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan on his inauguration on Monday.

Registered as a resident of Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, she said that she had voted for Anies in the first and second round of the gubernatorial election earlier this year.

“I came to show my support to them and express my gratitude,” she said.

Karlina arrived at the mosque at 10 a.m. with her husband.

Anies and his deputy, Sandiaga Uno came to the mosque at around 2 p.m. to meet their supporters, before leaving together for the State Palace to be inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Anies and Sandiaga were welcomed by hundreds of their supporters who rushed to greet and take pictures of them. Those who stayed in their seats showed their support by chanting prayers.

Among those who cheered were Rusmiati, 62, and her husband, Holidi Dedi, 62, both retired teachers, who said that they had been supporters of Anies since he was education minister in Jokowi’s administration.

“He seems religious and well mannered, and I’m happy he got elected,” she said.

Those who could not directly welcome Anies and Sandiaga at the mosque or at City Hall, were able to participate through virtual reality (VR) technology devices in 12 sub-district offices to experience the inauguration and handover ceremonies in both places.

The sub-district offices were instructed by the city administration to hold screenings of the handover between Anies and acting Jakarta governor Saefullah at City Hall. Former governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat resigned on Saturday and the Home Ministry had appointed Saefullah, the city secretary, as acting governor for the final hours before Anies’ inauguration.

Anies-Sandiaga Smart City expert team head Arie Mufti said three 360-degree cameras had been installed in three spots at City Hall to record the handover, which could be viewed using VR goggles.

In Menteng Dalam sub-district, South Jakarta, dozens of residents flocked to the sub-district office to try the goggles to experience the ceremony.

Muhtadi, 51, one of the residents said that he actually wanted to go to City Hall but did not get the chance.

At the same place, in orange jumpsuits, Public Facility Maintenance Agency (PPSU) workers sat anxiously in the back rows, as they watched the residents taking turns trying out the VR goggles.

Dona Purba, 31, one of the workers, said she was worried about what the future held. She has been a member of the so-called “orange army” since it was first formed by then Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who paid them according to the minimum wage.

“We hope Anies will keep us on, if not raise our wages,” she said.

Dona said she would monitor the governor’s political promises, including the zero percent down-payment housing scheme.

“If it means a mortgage is more expensive, it means nothing,” she said.

The ceremony at City Hall was also used by fishing communities to remind the newly inaugurated governor and deputy governor of their promise to stop the Jakarta Bay reclamation.

Dozens of members of the Save Jakarta Bay Coalition, marched for around 500 meters from Gambir Station to City Hall with banners saying “Stop the Reclamation.” “We are here to welcome Anies and Sandi who were chosen by residents, while also reminding them about their campaign on the reclamation,” said coalition spokesman Iwan. “They must take the fishermen’s side.”

Anies and Sandiaga promised during their campaign to protect the livelihoods of coastal residents by halting the reclamation. (dis)

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