Jakarta Governor's Ban on Restaurant Raids During Ramadan Draws Widespread Support

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has firmly stated that he will not permit civil organisations (ormas) to conduct sweeping raids on restaurants during Ramadan. The policy has received support from numerous quarters.

Pramono made his statement regarding the ban on restaurant raids during Ramadan after inaugurating the Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa (KGPM) church building in the Senen area of Central Jakarta on Saturday (14 February 2026). He said that welcoming Ramadan must be done with peace, not with actions that cause public unease.

“I want to emphasise that welcoming Ramadan must be filled with peace and harmony,” said Pramono in the Senen area of Central Jakarta.

He explained that Jakarta’s current celebrations are still in the Chinese New Year period until 17 February. After that, the city’s atmosphere will shift to welcoming Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

The DKI Jakarta provincial government, he said, has prepared various measures to ensure the worship period proceeds in an orderly fashion. When asked about the potential for restaurant raids by civil organisations, Pramono affirmed the prohibition.

“As governor, I am responsible for this and I do not permit any sweeping raids,” he stressed.

Additionally, Pramono highlighted sahur on the road (SOTR) activities, which frequently give rise to security concerns and brawls. He stated that activities with the potential to trigger disturbances would not be permitted.

“Anything that causes security concerns or disturbances, I will not permit. But if it promotes comfort, then I will allow it,” he said.

The following is a summary of responses from various parties, from the MUI and Muhammadiyah to Jakarta residents.

MUI Deputy Chairman Anwar Abbas agreed with Governor Pramono Anung’s ban on restaurant raids during Ramadan. Anwar Abbas said the most important thing is mutual respect.

“I believe there is no need for sweeping raids because, before the fasting month, we hope the government will have socialised and educated the public about the need for mutual respect regarding the religions, beliefs, and worship of other faiths,” said Anwar Abbas when contacted on Sunday (15 February 2026).

He called on the government to be present in fostering and supporting this attitude of mutual respect, so that those observing the fast do not feel disturbed.

“Those from the faith observing the worship need not feel disturbed because the government is already present to guard and maintain conditions so that adherents of the religion carrying out worship can do so in peace,” he said.

He also stated that Muslims need not conduct sweeping raids because the government will certainly maintain a conducive atmosphere during Ramadan. “They do not need to carry out sweeping raids because the government has already guaranteed a conducive situation for adherents of religion to carry out their worship, and in a few days Muslims will be fasting during Ramadan,” he said.

Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairman Dadang Kahmad agreed with Governor Pramono Anung regarding the ban on raids by civil organisations on restaurants. Dadang said the prohibition was aimed at preventing disturbances.

“I think the ban is correct to prevent disturbances,” said Dadang when contacted on Sunday (15 February 2026).

Dadang said only law enforcement authorities have the right to open or close establishments. Nevertheless, he hoped that adherents of other religions would also respect Muslims who are fasting.

“Conversely, we urge our brothers and sisters who are not fasting not to demonstratively eat lunch in open spaces and to respect those who are fasting, even though those fasting will not be tempted by things that would invalidate their fast,” he said.

A Manggarai resident, Epi (50), said everyone has their own beliefs. She considered inter-community harmony to be paramount.

“It’s good that way. Because, you know, some people don’t fast and they get hungry. But this is just about tolerance,” said Epi when met in the Manggarai area on Tuesday (17 February 2026).

Nevertheless, Epi said the Ramadan atmosphere in Manggarai is solemn. She noted that many restaurants choose to open in the afternoon to provide iftar menus and takjil snacks, and she has never seen any civil organisations conducting raids.

“They usually start selling after Asr prayer time. Until iftar. But selling during the daytime — there’s none, it’s rare. We just follow along. So even with sweeping, it wouldn’t affect us. People just don’t trade then. They trade from Asr onwards,” Epi explained.

Another resident, Hasan (51), said he agreed with the ban on raids by civil organisations. However, he also suggested that restaurant owners only open in the afternoon approaching Maghrib prayer time.

“I think the sweeping ban is good. But before that, they could close first, then open in the afternoon towards Maghrib. But then again, it’s up to each person, it’s their right. I’m more neutral about it,” said Hasan.

Hasan reasoned that Jakarta residents have diverse backgrounds and are more pluralistic. The Jakarta provincial government’s efforts, in his view, are part of mutual respect.

“For Jakarta, it’s actually quite normal between those who fast and those who don’t. It’s really not a problem, it doesn’t matter. Jakarta is pluralistic,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eneng (31), owner of a food and coffee stall in Manggarai, said she agreed with the ban on raids by civil organisations. She argued that not everyone observes the fast.

“It’s good, because not everyone fasts. I mean, there are many non-Muslims who don’t fast. They also need to eat,” said Eneng.

Nevertheless, Eneng said her stall would be half-covered so as not to be directly visible from outside. For her, this effort is also a gesture of mutual respect for those observing the fast.

“Yes, definitely. We’ll just respect each other. Tomorrow we’ll probably put up a half-cover, so people know we’re open, and those who want to eat are welcome,” said Eneng.