Jakarta. Gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung has pledged to transform Jakarta into a "city of joy" with global influence, should he win the upcoming election on November 27.

Pramono, who is running alongside former Banten Governor Rano Karno, acknowledged that Jakarta is poised to lose its status as the national capital due to the relocation to Nusantara in East Kalimantan. However, he stressed that this shift offers a unique opportunity for Jakarta to reinvent itself.

“We want to build Jakarta into a city of joy and optimism, preparing it for a new era beyond its role as the national capital. Our vision is to turn Jakarta into a global city and the economic capital of the nation,” Pramono said in an exclusive interview with B-Universe Media Holdings on Wednesday.

Despite Jakarta no longer serving as the political center, it will remain the nation’s hub for economy, politics, business, art, and culture, Pramono said.

“Jakarta boasts the best infrastructure and human capital in Indonesia. It’s more than ready to reach new heights under capable leadership,” he added.

Pramono, a key figure in the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), cited Shanghai as a model for Jakarta’s future, particularly in terms of environmental policy.

“Shanghai, with its larger population, has successfully restricted the use of fossil fuel vehicles to combat pollution. We must push for greater adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles, and we already have plans to implement similar policies here,” Pramono explained.

He also announced plans to step down from his current role as the cabinet secretary to President Joko Widodo before the campaign season officially begins next month.

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