Malioboro-Tugu Pal Putih Closed for New Year Celebration

The Yogyakarta City Government (Pemkot) together with the police closed Malioboro Street for motor vehicles ahead of the New Year's Eve, Wednesday (31/12/2025) evening. ANTARA/Luqman Hakim

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta City Government (Pemkot) together with the police closed Malioboro Street for motor vehicles ahead of the New Year's Eve 2025 to 2026.

Monitoring showed that the closure was implemented around 18.00 WIB from the north using an iron fence.

Along the tourist icon route of the city of Yogyakarta, it is also divided into two using a "water barrier". The left side is for the "emergency" and officer lane, while the right side is for the tourist lane.

"The closure is carried out for the convenience of visitors to Malioboro who plan to spend the New Year's Eve," said Head of the Yogyakarta Police Traffic Police AKP Alvian Hidayat, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 31.

The closure of motor vehicle access is enforced for the Kilometer Zero Point and White Pal Monument area starting at 21.00 WIB.

"All the fins (Malioboro) are also basically not allowed (to enter vehicles) according to the existing signs," said Alvian.

Head of the Yogyakarta City Police, Agus Arif Nugroho, said the closure was an anticipation of congestion and the need for emergency lanes.

"Because usually people are crowded there, so the lane will be used for an 'emergency' lane and inspection for service officers during the New Year's Eve," he said again.

Malioboro area was observed to be crowded with visitors since noon and became increasingly crowded until evening.

Natalia (28), a tourist from West Kalimantan, admitted that he had long planned to choose Yogyakarta as his holiday destination at the end of the year.

"I've wanted to go to Yogyakarta for a long time and I happen to have a holiday at the end of the year. So, we came here to hang out with friends," he said.

For Natalia, Malioboro is a typical Yogyakarta area that is right to celebrate New Year's Eve. "Because it is said that you have not been to Yogya if you have not been to Malioboro," he said again.