Car Free Night Trial Canceled, Pramono: If Sudirman-Thamrin Closes To Become A Polemic, The Governor Is Blamed

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung. (Diah-VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung explained the reason why the DKI Provincial Government canceled the car free night trial which was accompanied by the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025 on Saturday, July 5 evening.

This activity was originally scheduled to be held in the HI Roundabout area to the National Monument (Monas). Pramono is worried about the rejection from some people if Jalan Jenderal Sudirman to MH Thamrin is closed every Sunday night.

"Initially I wanted to close up Sudirman-Thamrin. As soon as Sudirman-Thamrin closes, it will definitely be a polemic later. The governor will blame it again," said Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Friday, July 4.

However, Pramono emphasized that the celebration of the Islamic New Year 1 Muharam 1447 Hijriah will still be held in every city/district in Jakarta. However, the activity accompanied by this torch relay does not use the National Monument route to the HI Roundabout.

"So it's not canceled. Tomorrow's activity happens to be in Jakarta with various activities at the same time. We don't want then there will be road closures for MH Tamrin and Sudirman. So how come the 1 Muharam event will still be held in each district city," he explained.

Meanwhile, 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 Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025 which was packaged in a car free night.

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.

"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," Chico added.