The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has banned all forms of New Year 2026 celebrations involving fireworks across Indonesia. The ban was announced by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo on Tuesday (23 December 2025), and will be enforced on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
The policy was adopted as a gesture of national empathy toward victims of floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The Police Chief emphasized that Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) will not issue any permits or recommendations for fireworks displays. Law enforcement measures and sanctions will be handled by regional police units in their respective jurisdictions.
Police Detail Security Measures for Year-End Period
General Listyo Sigit Prabowo stated that the fireworks ban was implemented because Indonesia remains in a period of mourning following the natural disasters that occurred in late November 2025. These disasters caused significant impacts, both in terms of loss of life and infrastructure damage.
“From Police Headquarters, it is clear that we will not grant permits for fireworks celebrations that are typically held on New Year’s Eve,” the Police Chief said on Tuesday (December 23).
He urged the public to replace celebratory euphoria with more meaningful activities, such as collective prayers for the victims. He also confirmed that technical supervision, inspections, and the enforcement of sanctions would be delegated to regional police commands (Polda).
According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 27 December 2025 at 08:10 WIB, floods and landslides in Sumatra have resulted in 1,137 fatalities, 163 people still missing, and approximately 457,200 individuals displaced.
To secure the Christmas and New Year period of 2025–2026, Polri has deployed around 234,000 personnel across service posts, security posts, and integrated posts. These security operations are carried out in coordination with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Ministry of Transportation to maintain stability and ensure smooth public mobility.
Regions Follow Fireworks Ban, Jakarta Enforces Strict Regulations
Several regional governments have expressed their commitment to comply with the national policy. The Jakarta Provincial Government (DKI Jakarta) has confirmed that no fireworks displays will be held on New Year’s Eve 2026, whether organized by the government or by private parties.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the provincial administration will issue a Circular Letter (Surat Edaran) prohibiting the use of fireworks at all events requiring official permits, including those held at hotels, shopping centers, and public spaces.
“In today’s meeting, I have decided that across the entire Jakarta area, whether events are organized by the government or the private sector, we are asking that there be no fireworks,” Pramono said on Monday (December 22).
Similar positions have been taken by several other regions, including West Java, the city of Semarang, and the city of Jambi, all of which have opted to scale down New Year celebrations.
President Prabowo Subianto has also called on the public to use the Christmas and New Year period as a moment to strengthen national solidarity. In a statement delivered on Wednesday evening (24 December 2025), the President emphasized the importance of unity amid the disasters affecting parts of Indonesia.
With fireworks displays cancelled, the government hopes that New Year 2026 celebrations will take place in a more solemn and modest manner, reflecting empathy for the victims of the disasters in Sumatra.
