DKI Provincial Government Cancels Car Free Night Trial This Saturday

Illustration. Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, low on the eve of Eid al-Adha on Sunday 11 August 2019. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government canceled the car free night trial as well as the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025 event on Saturday, July 5 evening. This activity was originally scheduled to be held in the HI Roundabout area to the National Monument (Monas).

The Special Staff of the Governor of DKI Jakarta for Public Communication, Cyril Total Hakim or Chico Hakim, apologized to the public for the cancellation of the event.

However, Chico encouraged the implementation of warnings that focused on the community level with DKI Jakarta regional agencies.

"We apologize to the public. After considering one thing and another, the DKI Provincial Government decided to encourage warnings at the community level and cancel the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025. So the concept of the event was canceled, not the commemoration of 1 Muharram," Chico told reporters, Friday, July 4.

The festival, which was designed as part of the commemoration of the Islamic New Year 1 Muharam 1447 Hijri, was previously scheduled to take place from 18.00 to 22.00 WIB. The torch relay route is planned to cross the Southwest Crossing Monas Gate to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout through the Bank Indonesia Roundabout and Jalan MH Thamrin.

"We really appreciate the enthusiasm of the residents and the hard work of the committee. This decision is certainly not easy, but is seen as the best step in an existing situation considering traffic flow and routine activities in the afternoon and evening of the residents on that day," said Chico.

"Nevertheless, the DKI Provincial Government continues to encourage residents together with government agencies and devices ranging from RT/RW, Kelurahan and Subdistricts to commemorate the Islamic New Year solemnly and meaningfully in their respective environments," explained Chico.

Previously, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno revealed that the DKI Provincial Government would start a car free night trial by holding a celebration of 1 Muharram on Saturday night this week.

"We will present 10,000 students. They will celebrate in the middle of Jakarta, starting from Monas they will walk to the HI Roundabout to enliven Muharram in Jakarta," said Rano.

One did welcome Muharram. Second, we really want to try Car Free Night. Well, we really want to be soft. Soft Car Free Night. That's why we want to start," he added.