The title of the Lantern Race to Celebrate Chinese New Year, This is Pramono's Reason 

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government held a lantern installation competition to welcome the celebration of the 2026 Chinese New Year. This Chinese New Year decoration competition was attended by building managers in a number of strategic areas of Jakarta and became part of an effort to expand the space for celebrating religious holidays in public spaces.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said the enthusiasm of participants was quite high. Dozens of buildings were recorded to take part in the competition, with the installation of lanterns that are now starting to be seen at various points.

"Celebrating Chinese New Year this time, the place of celebration has become more. In fact, we are bidding for lanterns and so on. It turns out that 98 buildings are following. Now it has started to be installed in SCBD, some in Sudirman-Thamrin, and so on," said Pramono at Aryaduta Menteng, Central Jakarta, Friday, February 6.

According to Pramono, this lantern race is not just a ceremonial agenda. The DKI Provincial Government wants to present an atmosphere of an open and friendly city for all residents in celebrating a major religious day, regardless of background.

"Why are we doing this? We are to provide a space that Jakarta is safe, comfortable, colorful, and lively for anyone to welcome the great religious days they have," he said.

Pramono added that the face of Jakarta will continue to change according to the religious celebration calendar. After Chinese New Year, the DKI Provincial Government has prepared a series of city arrangements to welcome Ramadan.

"We have prepared for when the date 17 to 18 February is Ramadan. Jakarta will change its face to welcome Ramadan. For Ramadan, because the period is longer, until Eid al-Fitr, of course, some activities held in Jakarta will be more lively," said Pramono.

In addition to the lantern race, the DKI Provincial Government has also prepared a number of major agendas to welcome Imlek and Cap Go Meh. Pramono said that the Imlek celebration was planned to be held at the Banteng Square on February 28 through collaboration between the central government and the DKI Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, the Cap Go Meh celebration is scheduled to take place in the Glodok area, West Jakarta, on March 3. Along Sudirman-Thamrin, the DKI Provincial Government also prepared various attractions such as barongsai and open festivals.

"It must be colorful because there will be horses, horse shio, at the HI roundabout, which is very big. Hopefully the lighting will make people come and take photos like yesterday's Jakarta Light Festival welcoming Christmas," he added.