Authorities have called on hotels, restaurants, traders and the wider public to mark New Year’s Eve 2026 with a joint prayer, as a sign of solidarity with victims of recent natural disasters in Sumatra.
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) said it will urge members of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (Perhimpunan Hotel dan Restoran Indonesia or PHRI), as well as importers and traders operating (Business operators and commercial enterprises) in Jakarta, to observe the New Year through collective prayer rather than celebration.
Head of Public Relations for Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the appeal aligns with a circular issued by the Jakarta Provincial Government, encouraging residents to commemorate New Year’s Eve reflectively.
“The Jakarta Metropolitan Police are calling on importers, traders and PHRI members to observe New Year’s Eve 2026 with a joint prayer,” Hermanto said in a written statement on 29 December.
He explained that the initiative reflects empathy and social solidarity with communities affected by disasters in Sumatra.
“We prioritise empathy for our brothers and sisters affected by the natural disasters in Sumatra,” he said.
Hermanto also confirmed that police will support the provincial government in enforcing a fireworks ban ahead of the 2026 New Year. Enforcement of the governor’s circular will be led by the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), with assistance from the police.
“Implementation of the Jakarta Governor’s Circular will be carried out by Satpol PP, with support from the Jakarta Metropolitan Police,” he added.
The call for collective prayer was echoed by Anwar Iskandar, Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia or MUI), who encouraged the public to use the New Year as a moment for reflection and prayer for national safety.
Earlier, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung announced that New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations in Jakarta would take place without fireworks, as a gesture of empathy for disaster victims. Several other cities, including Bali, Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang and Medan, have made similar decisions, opting for modest commemorations without fireworks.