Jakarta Cancels ‘Car Free Night’ Trial, Muharram Festival Amid Traffic Concerns
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has postponed a trial run of a Car Free Night (CFN) and canceled the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025, citing concerns over traffic congestion and logistical challenges. The decision, announced on Friday, July 4, 2025, reflects a shift in priorities toward community-level commemorations.
CFN Trial Postponed, Future Uncertain
Initial plans for a vehicle-free night were shelved, with officials indicating no immediate plans to reinstate the concept. “There are no plans in the near future,” a spokesperson for the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government confirmed on Sunday, July 6, 2025. However, the government maintains that the Car Free Night concept remains under consideration. “Car Free Night is still in a long study,” the spokesperson added.
The cancellation of the trial coincided with a broader decision to alter the format of the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025.
Muharram Festival Canceled, Focus Shifts to Local Observances
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government opted to cancel the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025 altogether, choosing instead to encourage commemorations at the community level. “We apologize to the public,” a senior official stated at Jakarta City Hall on Friday. “After considering one thing or another, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government decided to encourage warnings at the community level and canceled the Jakarta Muharram Festival 2025. So the concept of the event was canceled, not the 1st commemoration of Muharam.”
Originally, the festival was envisioned as beginning with a torch relay and taking place from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the HI Roundabout area of Central Jakarta. The decision to cancel was ultimately driven by concerns about disrupting traffic flow during peak hours. “This decision is certainly not easy, but is seen as the best step in the existing situation considering the flow of traffic and routine activities in the afternoon and evening of the residents on that day,” the official explained.
The cancellation underscores the challenges of implementing large-scale public events in a densely populated urban environment like Jakarta. While the long-term viability of a Car Free Night remains uncertain, the government’s commitment to ongoing evaluation suggests a continued interest in exploring innovative solutions to improve urban life and promote community engagement.
