No Fireworks Festival in Jakarta at New Year's Eve, DPRD asks residents to accept

Rani Mauliani (Gerindra)

JAKARTA - The decision of the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung to eliminate the fireworks festival on the New Year's Eve celebration 2026 has reaped a variety of responses. Deputy Chairman of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Rani Mauliani asked the public to accept the policy as a form of empathy for the disaster that hit a number of areas in Sumatra.

Admitted Rani, New Year's Eve in Jakarta has not only been celebrated by residents of the Capital City. The surge in the number of arrivals usually occurs, even the occupancy rate of hotels around the celebration location is often full days before the new year.

"Indeed, the residents of Jakarta at New Year's Eve are not only DKI residents, but also many immigrants. It is observed that hotels around the celebration location are also fully booked," Rani told reporters, Friday, December 26.

However, amid the enthusiasm for welcoming the new year, Rani reminded that the current situation is still shrouded in grief due to the flood and landslide disasters that hit the Sumatran region and several other areas. According to him, the decision to eliminate the fireworks party should be seen from a humanitarian perspective.

"However, in the midst of this worrying condition, we must accept the situation as a form of empathy for our brothers and sisters who are suffering from disasters in Sumatra," said Rani.

Even without fireworks, Rani said the atmosphere at the end of the year in Jakarta could still be celebrated. He assessed that the Christmas ornaments and decorations that are still installed at a number of points in the capital could be an alternative visual entertainment for the public.

The DKI Provincial Government will also hold a stage for celebrating the New Year's Eve at several points. Even without fireworks, music performances and drone attractions will still be presented during the countdown to the New Year 2026.

"There will be drone attractions that can provide an interesting visual display as a symbol of the new year. With today's digital technology, even without fireworks, the drone attraction is expected to still add color in welcoming the New Year 2026," explained Rani.

Ahead of the new year, Rani invited the public to use the momentum as a reflection together. Rani also invited the people of Jakarta to continue to show concern for residents in disaster-affected areas, including in Sumatra.

"Let's also continue to support our brothers in Sumatra so that they can rise together. God willing, Indonesia will remain strong in facing various disasters in all regions," he said.

Previously, the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung emphasized that the DKI Provincial Government would not hold a fireworks festival to celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 in Jakarta. In fact, Pramono decided to reduce the number of new year's eve celebration points.

Initially, the DKI Provincial Government prepared 14 entertainment and stage points during the New Year's Eve. Now, the location has only been decided in 8 points. This was decided by Pramono as a form of empathy from the government and residents of Jakarta to victims of the flood and landslide disasters in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, which are still shrouded in grief.

"In terms of the location points that were previously prepared for 14 points, it was finally decided to be 8 points. From the main points that have been a tradition in Jakarta, there are some that have been reduced, including Monas," said Pramono at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Monday, December 22.

The eight points are HI Roundabout, Taman Lapangan Banteng, the Old City area, and the offices of the mayors of North Jakarta, Central Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta, and South Jakarta. HI Roundabout is the main point for celebrating New Year's Eve.

Pramono also banned fireworks on New Year's Eve 2026 in Jakarta for private parties that require permits, such as hotels, shopping centers, and entertainment areas.

"The concentration for the new year, which we originally planned to have fireworks and so on, in the meeting I had decided for the entire Jakarta region, which was held by the government and private parties, we asked for no fireworks," he explained.