Illegal Padel Courts in Jakarta Shut Down as Seals Are Placed and Access Blocked

JAKARTA, Kompas.com – A number of padel courts in Jakarta that have not obtained the Building Permit Approval (PBG) have begun to be sealed by the local city government. The action was carried out in North Jakarta, South Jakarta, and West Jakarta over the past week. The move forms part of a response to the proliferation of unlicensed padel ventures operating without full administrative permits. The action also follows residents’ complaints about noise in residential areas. Head of Sudin Citata North Jakarta Herry Priyatno said administrative sanctions in the form of a permanent shutdown were issued because the buildings did not have a PBG. “Thus today, Wednesday (4 March 2026), we are carrying out our enforcement task of administrative sanctions in the form of a permanent shutdown, or as it is known, sealing,” he said in a formal statement. He emphasised that the sealing has no time limit. The courts can only resume operations once the licensing process is complete in accordance with the regulations. “We hope prospective padel court operators will obtain the proper licences before construction activities commence,” he added. Herry also confirmed that his agency stood ready to assist with the licensing process. One operating manager at the padel court in Ancol, Petrus Assa, admitted that they had not yet obtained a PBG although the licensing process was underway. “As a good citizen, I acknowledge this fault and we are actually already in the process of obtaining a PBG. We are following the requirements; other licences such as IMB (Izin Mendirikan Bangunan) we already have,” Petrus explained. From these statements, it appears some operators claim to have started the administrative process. Yet the government remains firm that business activities cannot proceed until the permit is issued. In South Jakarta, the Fourthwall padel court in Cilandak was sealed by the South Jakarta City Government through Sudin Citata on Tuesday (3 March 2026).