Jakarta. The programs that Jakarta's governor candidates propose should help turn the metropolis into a global city, according to an analyst.

As Indonesia seeks to relocate its capital to Nusantara, the government still intends to turn Jakarta into a global city. In just a few months, Jakartans will pick their next governor and vice governor. And there are still many things that the governor hopefuls --Pramono Anung, Ridwan Kamil, Dharma Pongrekun-- should address in their proposed manifesto documents.

For instance, Jakarta’s next leader should boost the local economy amidst globalization challenges, urban planning expert Yayat Supriatna said.

Pramono Anung Aims to Transform Jakarta into a Global City

“Jakarta has the special right to be a city that holds a major role, particularly on economic autonomy and urban development as it tries to be a global city,” Yayat said.

Yayat said that the candidates’ proposed programs would lay the foundation for the city’s medium-term development plan. The governor hopefuls must also answer Jakarta’s fundamental problems, ranging from transport, pollution, environment, and settlements. However, the candidates must also be realistic by making sure that they would be able to execute their programs while staying on budget.

“In the past, there have been many candidates that have made programs, but they did not align with Jakarta’s fiscal capacity and resources,” Yayat said.

Yayat also underlined the large number of inadequately skilled workers coming to Jakarta to look for work. He added: “[The candidates] need to find ways to improve the workforce’s skills. … Jakarta has been too kind to open itself to all so the city attracts poorly skilled workers and this becomes a burden for the city.”