Malioboro Portal Controversy Causes Difficulties for Elderly and Wheelchair Users

The presence of road-closing portals, or Regol Ayom, at several points along Malioboro Street in Yogyakarta has come under scrutiny. This follows reports that the structures are making it difficult for the elderly and wheelchair users to pass through.

Various parties, including the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), have called on the local government to resolve this issue immediately.

Design to be Modified

In response to the growing criticism, the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Provincial Government has stated that the design of the portals will be modified.

The Regional Secretary of DIY, Ni Made Dwityanti, stated that the difficulties faced by the elderly are being used as a basis for evaluation. She noted that the portal design must consider access for members of the public using mobility aids.

“However, if it is found in the field that people with disabilities or pedestrians are struggling to use the path, this will be addressed by the officers in charge of managing it,” Made told reporters on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

Made admitted that the current portal design does not fully account for the needs of pedestrians using mobility aids. While she noted that the access provided is sufficient for general pedestrians, it does not provide adequate space for wheelchair users or other mobility devices.

“It serves as an evaluation that those passing through may be using mobility aids. Therefore, they must have sufficient space regarding the use of the area. While space exists for pedestrians, it has not yet considered those using wheelchairs and other aids that require different dimensions,” she continued.

Adjustments to be Made

Despite the difficulties faced by the elderly and those using mobility aids, Made mentioned that the DIY Provincial Government does not plan to dismantle the existing Regol Aylam portals entirely. Instead, adjustments will be made to the design so that they can still restrict motor vehicles while providing proper access for pedestrians, including wheelchair users.

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

She emphasised that these adjustments must be carried out carefully. The new access for wheelchair users must be designed so that motor vehicles cannot exploit the gap to enter the pedestrian zone.

“We must ensure that we do not create a situation where, in our attempt to allow pedestrians with mobility aids to pass, motor vehicles end up using the same route. This is something we must monitor,” she added.

In addition to improving the physical design, the presence of officers near the portals is considered vital. Officers will assist in managing access and educating the public on the function of the Regol Ayom.

Guarded by Officers

The Yogyakarta Department of Transportation (Dishub DIY) will station officers to assist in opening the portals for pedestrians.

“This is a trial period. This is our first time operating all of them, and we are observing the issues that arise in the field,” said the Head of Dishub DIY, Chrestina Erni Widyastuti, in a written statement.

Erni noted that one of the identified problems relates to pedestrian access. Under certain conditions, the portals must be opened by officers so that pedestrians, including the elderly and those using mobility aids, can pass through.

Erni stated that having officers at every Regol Ayom point is a crucial part of implementing the system. Officers will be able to open the portals when pedestrians require access.

“One of the schemes we have prepared is that when a pedestrian needs access, the middle section of the portal can be opened,” she said.

“The principle is that the area must be guarded because we prioritise pedestrians,” she added.

For certain types of Regol Ayom, Erni noted that a telescopic mechanism is available, allowing the portal to be raised or opened to create space for pedestrians.

Dishub DIY has prepared officers working in shifts at various Regol Ayom points. This monitoring is also being conducted in collaboration with the Yogyakarta City Transportation Department.

“The refinement of Regol Ayom remains directed towards supporting the implementation of a full pedestrian zone in Malioboro. Our commitment is to prioritise pedestrians,” she concluded.

DPRD Urges Follow-up

Commission C of the DIY DPRD has highlighted that the portals in the Malioboro area are causing difficulties for elderly citizens. They have demanded that the issue be evaluated and executed promptly.

The Vice Chairman of Commission C, Amir Syarifudin, stated that an evaluation is necessary given that Yogyakarta promotes itself as a child-friendly and elderly-friendly city. This is particularly urgent as incidents have already occurred where the elderly struggled to navigate the portals.

“Regardless, as a child-friendly and elderly-friendly city, if such incidents occur, there must be an evaluation,” Amir said when contacted on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

He noted that the evaluation must be followed by concrete action, especially since the Malioboro area is a public space that will become increasingly crowded during the upcoming holiday season.

“There needs to be execution. After all, this is a public area,” he concluded.