Indonesian Police Ban Firecrackers for New Year's Eve 2023

Kadiv Humas Polri Irjen Dedi Prasetyo — Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police (Polri) Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo (front). Photo from the Polri.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The New Year's Eve 2023 celebration party will be greeted by many people with trumpets and firecrackers in many countries. However, Indonesian police has said no to firecrackers.

"No firecrackers," said Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police (Polri) Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo when met by journalists at the National Monument (Monas), Central Jakarta, Thursday (22/12/2022).

Firecrackers sellers are often seen on the streets in Indonesia when NYE is approaching. It's not rare for underage kids to play firecrackers despite the risks.

Dedi said the ban on the use of firecrackers is based on security and public safety issues. The fireworks are not banned, although strictly regulated.

"The fireworks are allowed," said Dedi. "The process of their usage must get through permission process."

Dedi explained that fireworks events need permission from the intelligence directorate of the police, especially for those who will celebrate in particular locations such as hotels.

On the other hand, as previously reported, the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta has mapped out a number of locations in the Capital City that can potentially be placed for New Year's Eve celebrations. The goal is to unravel the concentration of the crowd.

People who come to celebrate in Jakarta may not be only those from Jakartan cities, but also from the Greater Jakarta area, including Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi.

"We are finalizing the location and several technical matters because apart from the provincial level, we will also prepare for the regional level," said Deputy Governor of Jakarta for Culture and Tourism, Marullah Matali at the Jakarta City Hall, Monday 5 December 2022.

Saksikan berita kriminal dan peristiwa menarik di Fokus Pagi (10/12) dengan pilihan topik utama sebagai berikut, Penggerebekan Sarang Narkoba, Penyelamatan Warga dari Banjir, Tambang Batu Bara Meledak, 10 Tewas.

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Pandemic Status

So far, the center of mass concentration on New Year's Eve in Jakarta is in the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout.

Marullah estimated that the New Year's celebration has the potential to invite euphoria because the events were disturbed by the COVID-19 pandemic for two years.

Meanwhile, the government is confident that the current pandemic situation is still under control although it still needs to follow the status of the restrictions on community activities (PPKM).

The latest PPKM level has been set for 20 December 2022 to 2 January 2023.

"We'll see later. There are instructions. There are decisions from the ministry and from the central government regarding this. Of course, the status of PPKM will be taken into consideration," he explained.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the COVID-19 in Indonesia has become endemic. President Joko Widodo also hinted the possibility to fully revoke the PPKM status next year.

Writer: Safinatun Nikmah.

Rahmat Baihaqi contributed to the article.