Governor Pramono Urged to Exercise Caution When Demolishing Unlicensed Padel Courts in Jakarta
Jakarta — A member of the Jakarta Regional People’s Consultative Assembly from the Gerindra Party faction, Ali Lubis, has cautioned Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung to ensure that the planned demolition of padel courts lacking Building Approval (PBG) is conducted with care and fairness.
“It must be conducted based on proportional, careful, and fair administrative law principles,” Ali stated on Friday (27 February 2026).
According to him, buildings without PBG approval constitute administrative violations that the government can address. However, administrative law enforcement must adhere to the general principles of good governance, particularly the principles of proportionality, prudence, and legal certainty.
“In administrative law, forced demolition sanctions are positioned as a final recourse, meaning forced demolition cannot be conducted directly without first going through guidance and warning stages,” he said.
He called on the Jakarta Provincial Government to provide padel court owners an opportunity to obtain PBG approval within a clearly defined timeframe. Only if owners remain non-compliant after a reasonable period should demolition proceed.
Additionally, Ali urged the provincial government to establish a transparent and staged enforcement mechanism, beginning with written warnings, setting time limits, and culminating in final action through demolition.
He added that urban planning, legal certainty, and business climate must progress in balance. Rule enforcement, he stated, must not disregard procedural justice.
Earlier, Pramono had emphasised that padel courts in Jakarta lacking Building Approval would face enforcement action, including potential demolition.
According to official data from the Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, and Land Affairs, approximately 185 padel courts lack PBG approval.
“There are currently 397 padel courts in Jakarta. We are investigating how many of these 397 have licences. We will certainly conduct enforcement as we have stated,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday (24 February 2026).
Pramono explained that unlicensed padel courts will face sanctions ranging from operational suspension, building demolition, to business permit revocation for operators.
“Buildings or padel courts without PBG will be subject to operational suspension, demolition, and business permit revocation, as we suspect there are unlicensed facilities. The precise figure will be confirmed by the Public Works Department,” Pramono stated.