Wahyu Majiah, Reza Hery Pamungkas, Jakarta – Cities across Indonesia welcomed the start of 2026 with subdued New Year's Eve observances, scaling back festivities and cancelling fireworks as a gesture of solidarity with victims of floods and landslides in Sumatra, where disasters have killed more than 1,100 people.
In Jakarta, New Year celebrations were marked by interfaith prayers held alongside the usual music performances, reflecting a nationwide call for restraint and empathy. The prayers were held at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, integrated into the city's New Year program.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung had earlier ordered the cancellation of fireworks displays, urging residents to avoid excessive celebrations as communities in three Sumatra provinces continue to recover from severe flooding and landslides.
The interfaith prayers were led by representatives of six religions – Catholicism, Protestant Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Confucianism – with religious leaders offering prayers in turn. Thousands of attendees joined the ceremony, illuminating the venue with mobile phone lights as symbols of hope, empathy, and solidarity.
Major roads including Jalan Thamrin and Jalan Sudirman were closed to traffic to accommodate crowds celebrating the New Year and attending music concerts staged at multiple locations. The main stage was set up at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, but unlike previous years, no fireworks were launched.
Fireworks displays were also cancelled in several other cities, including Yogyakarta and Serang.
Interfaith prayers were also held in the Bali capital, Denpasar, but fireworks were on display in many parts of the resort island at midnight.
In Banda Aceh, the New Year passed without fireworks or noisemakers. A week earlier, the Banda Aceh city administration had issued a joint appeal urging residents not to hold New Year celebrations, either in public or private spaces.
The appeal was based on Islamic law, Acehnese customs, and a sense of empathy for communities still affected by floods and landslides, including within Aceh province itself.
Despite the absence of celebrations, public activity continued into the night, particularly around the Simpang Lima area, which remained busy with vehicles and pedestrians. Some residents were seen gathering casually near the city center and surrounding bridges.
Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal, who monitored New Year's Eve conditions alongside Deputy Mayor Afdhal Khalilullah, said the city has long refrained from New Year celebrations.
"This New Year is not something we celebrate, especially given the current disaster situation in Aceh. Banda Aceh has not held New Year festivities for a very long time," Illiza said. "We invite the public to pray for our brothers and sisters affected by these disasters."
A Banda Aceh resident, Cut Nauval, said the community is accustomed to spending New Year's Eve without celebrations due to the province's adherence to Islamic law.
"We're just taking a walk to see the situation since tomorrow is a public holiday," she said.
During the New Year period, President Prabowo Subianto was in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, inspecting post-disaster reconstruction efforts.
Meanwhile, Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited Nusantara in East Kalimantan to review progress on the construction of government buildings at Indonesia's future capital.