Jakarta. Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Ridwan Kamil pledged to eliminate slums in North Jakarta and transform the area into a business hub if he wins the 2024 regional election. During a visit to Warakas, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday, Kamil highlighted the issue as a priority, citing advice from President-elect Prabowo Subianto and former Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

"They both advised me to focus on eradicating slums if elected," Kamil told reporters.

Kamil emphasized the urgency of addressing the poor living conditions in the area. He noted that during his visit, he observed numerous homes with corrugated iron roofs visible from the toll road, a sign of the widespread poverty in North Jakarta. He promised to collaborate with the central government to tackle the issue.

"Our work will be 70 percent for the lower-middle class and 30 percent for the upper-middle class, as the gap between them in Jakarta remains significant," Kamil added.

In addition to improving living conditions, Kamil aims to turn North Jakarta into a new business hub. He plans to create more job opportunities, especially in the Ancol area, which he envisions as a future business district. He also outlined plans to transform the Thousand Islands into an international tourist destination.

As of March 2024, North Jakarta’s poverty rate stood at 6.44 percent, a slight improvement from 6.78 percent in 2023, but the highest among other municipalities. The number of people living in poverty decreased by 5,470 to 120,510. In comparison, West Jakarta has a poverty rate of 3.94 percent, while East Jakarta stands at 4.2 percent. Across the capital, the overall poverty rate in March 2024 was 4.30 percent, down from 4.44 percent the previous year.