DIY Regional Government Admits Malioboro Portal Not Disability-Friendly, Design to Be Changed

The installation of road-closing portals, known as Regol Ayom, on several side streets of Jalan Malioboro in Yogyakarta has drawn public complaints for making it difficult for pedestrians, especially the elderly and people with disabilities, to pass through. The DIY Regional Government has confirmed that the portal design will be changed.

DIY Regional Secretary Ni Made Dwipanti said the difficulties faced by elderly people trying to pass through the portals have become a matter of evaluation for the regional government. According to her, the portal design needs to take into account access for members of the public who use mobility aids.

“If in the field it turns out that, for example, people with disabilities or pedestrians have difficulty using that route, this will become part of what our officers will then manage,” Made told reporters on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

Made acknowledged that the current portal design has not fully considered the needs of pedestrians who use mobility aids. She said the access provided is sufficient for pedestrians in general, but has not yet offered adequate space for wheelchair users or those using other assistive devices.

“It is also an evaluation that those passing through may be using assistive devices. So they need space in relation to the use of the space available there. There may already be provision for pedestrians, but it has not been thought through for those using assistive devices such as wheelchairs and others, which also require different space,” she continued.

Made said the DIY Regional Government has no plans to dismantle all the Regol Ayom portals that have been installed. Adjustments will be made to the portal design so that they can still restrict motor vehicles while providing proper access for pedestrians, including wheelchair users.

“It is not a dismantling, but rather an adjustment. An adjustment in terms of what the design should look like,” she said.

She stressed that the adjustment must be carried out carefully. The access created for wheelchair users must not end up being exploited by motor vehicles to break through the pedestrian zone.

“We must not let all sorts of things happen, where we want pedestrians using assistive devices or others to be able to pass, but instead other forms of motor vehicles go through. This is also something we need to look at,” she said.

In addition to improving the physical design of the portals, the presence of officers around the portals is also considered important. Officers will help manage access while providing education to the public about the function of the Regol Ayom.

“That is one part of why officers are there, besides guarding, also educating about the function and role of the Regol Ayom being in place. Not all members of the public understand that. It is a correction for all of us,” she concluded.

It was previously reported that a video showing an elderly woman struggling to pass through a portal on a Malioboro side street went viral on social media. In response, the DIY Transportation Agency promised to evaluate the matter.

In the video uploaded by the Instagram account @jogja_admin, an elderly person can be seen trying to pass through the green-and-yellow portal. Although the portal is installed quite low, the elderly person tries with all her might to get through underneath it.

The elderly wheelchair user appeared to be assisted by family members accompanying her. Several local residents were also seen helping her.

It was not explained when the incident occurred. However, the elderly person eventually managed to pass through the portal, which is said to be located on Sosrowijayan Street.

“Pedestrians are forced to bend very low or climb over the barrier fence in order to pass. Elderly people also have difficulty getting through. There is no access at all for people with disabilities, and wheelchair users find it impossible to pass,” read the caption in the post seen by detikJogja on Sunday (30/8/2026).

“The public hopes that the relevant authorities will review the policy on installing these portals. If restrictions are indeed necessary, please create a design that remains friendly and can be passed by all groups,” the caption continued.