Three of the five villages representing West Jakarta have advanced to the top 10 nominations for the 2026 Benyamin S Award. The three are Taman Sari in Taman Sari District, Sukabumi Utara in Kebon Jeruk District, and Srengseng in Kembangan District. West Jakarta Mayor, Iin Mutmainah, expressed appreciation to the district and village officials and other stakeholders who supported the three villages in reaching the top 10. While welcoming the achievement, Iin urged the village heads not to become complacent and to prepare thoroughly for the next stage of the competition.
Iin said the West Jakarta administration had conducted direct monitoring visits to each nominated village to assess their preparations. During the latest visit, she inspected Taman Sari and planned to continue monitoring Srengseng and Sukabumi Utara. She also asked each village to identify and strengthen its particular advantages ahead of the next assessment stage. The competition evaluates aspects including cleanliness, health, comfort, and community welfare, requiring cooperation from various stakeholders.
For Taman Sari, Iin identified its cultural diversity as a major strength that could be further highlighted during the assessment. She said the area’s high level of diversity could demonstrate how different communities contribute to a harmonious approach to urban development. Meanwhile, the other nominated villages were also encouraged to map their respective strengths and present them more clearly to the judges. This approach allows each village to build its presentation around existing local characteristics rather than relying on a uniform model.
The three nominations also reflect the role of village-level initiatives in broader efforts to improve urban living conditions in West Jakarta. Beyond the competition itself, the assessment criteria place attention on practical aspects such as environmental cleanliness, public health, comfort, and welfare. The West Jakarta administration is therefore using the preparation period to strengthen coordination among local officials and communities. Iin expressed hope that all three nominated villages would advance to the top three of the 2026 Benyamin S Award.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
