West Java Stops New Year's Fireworks, Replaces Prayer for Sumatra

BANDUNG - West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi ensures that the West Java Provincial Government will fill the 2025 to 2026 New Year with prayer activities, not celebrations or fireworks parties.

Dedi said that the official agenda of the West Java Provincial Government on New Year's Eve would be a prayer with the state civil apparatus (ASN) at Gedung Sate, Bandung. Meanwhile, the public is urged to fill the New Year's Eve with more positive and service activities.

"The Provincial Government does not hold celebrations. We just monitor in the community so that the New Year's Eve runs effectively, and for ASN at Gedung Sate there will be a joint prayer," said Dedi in his statement, Wednesday, December 24.

He explained that the West Java Provincial Government does not have a tradition of large celebrations at the turn of the year. According to him, in West Java there is no excessive euphoria in welcoming the New Year's Eve.

"In West Java, it is relatively not too euphoric at the beginning of the year. So there is no special celebration," he said.

Dedi also invited the public to make the new year as a momentum for reflection and self-evaluation, not celebrated with excessive euphoria. He emphasized the importance of vigilance, especially in the midst of uncertain weather conditions.

"At the end of the year, I hope it will be carried out with prayer. Do not express it excessively, be careful on the road, at tourist attractions, and be alert to rainfall," he said.

According to Dedi, a simple and courteous attitude in welcoming the new year can also minimize the risk of safety due to crowds and potential disasters.

"Celebrate the new year as a material for evaluation so that next year will be much better," he said.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Bandung Class I Geophysics Station predicts that West Java will be potentially hit by rain during the 2026 New Year celebrations. The public is asked to increase vigilance against potential hydrometeorological disasters.

In line with this, the West Java Provincial Government has set an emergency disaster alert status for 27 districts and cities through the West Java Governor's Decree Number 360/Kep.626-BPBD/2025. The status is valid from September 15, 2025 to April 30, 2026.

The emergency standby status includes the potential for flooding, flash floods, extreme weather, extreme waves and abrasion, and landslides. Dedi asked all regional heads in West Java to increase their readiness, including preparing a budget for disaster management.

"Financing for handling the emergency standby status of disasters is sourced from the West Java Provincial APBD and/or other legitimate sources in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations," wrote Dedi in the decision.