Bundaran HI Goes Dark Briefly Tonight for Environmental Awareness
A different sight was observed in the heart of the capital tonight. The Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) area in Central Jakarta, usually glittering with lights, appeared much darker.
Observations at the location on Saturday (13/06/2026) showed that streetlights around Bundaran HI began to be switched off at approximately 20:30 WIB. This blackout was carried out to commemorate Environment Day.
In addition to the streetlights, the iconic Selamat Datang Monument, which is usually brightly illuminated, was less visible in the darkness. Several billboards and videatrons surrounding Bundaran HI were also temporarily deactivated. The area, which is typically colourful with lights from surrounding buildings, appeared much quieter.
Some visitors at the Bundaran HI viewing area took the opportunity to take selfies, capturing the temporarily darkened backdrop. One visitor, Purwanto, admitted he was initially confused as he was unaware of the scheduled simultaneous blackout, noting only that the atmosphere felt quite dim.
Similarly, two other visitors, Heni (21) and Pika (23), noticed the visual difference. Pika remarked on the loss of light from the advertisements and the monument, while Heni mentioned having read about the environmental initiative. Both expressed support for the energy-saving measure, noting that a 60-minute blackout is a small step that does not significantly disrupt public activity.
Despite the streetlights being turned off, traffic around Bundaran HI remained smooth, with vehicles relying on their own headlights. The blackout was scheduled to last for 60 minutes, from 20:30 WIB to 21:30 WIB, as part of routine energy-saving efforts by the Jakarta Provincial Government to demonstrate environmental care.
According to official posts from the Jakarta Provincial Government, the blackout applied to all buildings and offices owned by the Jakarta Provincial Government, excluding healthcare facilities such as hospitals, community health centres (Puskesmas), and clinics. Additionally, several private buildings, commercial centres, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and apartments participated in the activity.
The blackout covered several major roads and government locations across Jakarta, including:
Central Jakarta: Jalan Sudirman, Jalan MH Thamrin, the Medan Merdeka area (including North Medan Merdeka in front of the Presidential Palace), Jalan Gerbang Pemma, Jalan Asia Afrika, and the Jakarta City Hall premises.
North Jakarta: Jalan Yos Sudarso, the North Jakarta Mayor’s Office complex, and Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan.
East Jakarta: Jalan Dr. Sumarno, Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, and the East Jakarta Mayor’s Office complex.
West Jakarta: Jalan Daan Mogot, Jalan Kembangan Raya, and the West Jakarta Mayor’s Office complex.
South Jakarta: Jalan Prapanca Raya, Jalan Gerbang Pemuda to Jalan Asia Afrika, Jalan Sudirman (from Sampoerna Strategic Building to Pemuda Statue), the South Jakarta Mayor’s Office, and Jalan HR Rasuna Said.
Alongside these roads and government buildings, several symbols of Jakarta were also dimmed for one hour, including the Jakarta City Hall, the National Monument (Monas), the Arjuna Wiwaha Statue, Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, the Pemuda Statue, the Pahlawan Statue, and the General Sudirman Statue.