It is no surprise amongst locals and Malaysians Muslims' customers that Pasar (Bazaar) Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta is an extremely popular and the largest market in Indonesia, and also the largest textile market in Southeast Asia. The reason is price and the second is variety of selection. My wife, Zarina, daughters Jann & Zana, and granddaughters, Iffah & IIyan visited the market knowing that they could find what they are looking for, especially with opening of school semester in mid-Feb & in preparation of Ramadan & Hari Raya.
Iffah said, “There is no denying the fact that Pasar Tanah Abang is one of Jakarta's best markets with wide selection of Muslim-friendly fashion for long dresses and hijabs. We can also find wide selection of batik & other things including fresh fruits stalls that sell salak.”
Jann added, “For nearly three centuries, Southeast Asia's largest textile market has been standing strong in the heart of Jakarta, even if a little odd against a backdrop of towering offices, luxury hotels and malls. Jakarta's old market textile keeps up with the times with tech and a touch of Malaysians. It has about 13,000 stalls selling from household stuff to clothing, shoes, ladies' and children bags.”
There is never a dull moment for walkabouts and shopping for my little ones, a preschool sudent, Ilyan and her eldest sister, Iffah who will soon enroll for secondary education at a boarding schools in Malaysia. When opportunity arised, I engaged in conversations with them about the education in Indonesia that focusing on excellence which is a tool for social mobility & future student empowerment.
My local friends debriefed me that their schools aimed at producig leaders through an international lens elevating holistic educational standards, for the best & brighest students. The cultural relevance of academic curriculum is aligned to its socio-economic diversities.
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