Padel Courts Proliferate Across Indonesia as MP Urges Residents' Comfort Be Prioritised

Jakarta — Hetifah Sjaifudian, Chairwoman of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), has spoken out on the padel sport trend that has recently come under public scrutiny. Whilst the sport is regarded positively for encouraging a healthy lifestyle, a significant number of residents have complained about the noise it generates. Hetifah views the padel trend as a welcome development but insists it must comply with regulations.

“Regarding the padel sport activities that are now mushrooming everywhere, I see this phenomenon as a positive thing because it demonstrates the public’s growing interest in sport,” Hetifah said in a statement on Friday, 20 February 2026.

Nevertheless, Hetifah cautioned that the construction and operation of padel courts must not disregard environmental considerations.

“However, these sporting activities must still take into account the comfort and orderliness of the surrounding environment,” she stressed.

She urged local governments not to turn a blind eye to permits and the impacts these facilities create. According to her, every construction project must conform to spatial planning regulations and be accompanied by an environmental impact analysis, including noise levels.

“I urge local governments to ensure that every padel court construction meets spatial planning regulations and environmental impact analysis requirements, including noise threshold standards,” she said.

Hetifah also raised the issue of court operators’ responsibilities. If the sound of ball strikes and player activity disturbs residents, technical measures must be taken.

“If necessary, operators must install soundproofing and limit operating hours so as not to disturb nearby residents,” she continued.

She emphasised that the growth of sport must not come at the expense of the surrounding community’s comfort.

“The bottom line is that sport must develop, but it must not disturb the interests and comfort of the public,” she concluded.

In a related development, the owner of a padel court on Haji Nawi Raya in Cilandak, South Jakarta, has agreed to limit opening hours and install soundproofing in response to noise complaints from local residents.

“We will reinforce the walls so that sound from the padel court can be contained inside and does not disturb those outside,” said Fajar Ediputra, a representative of PT Kreasi Arena Indonesia (Fourthwall Padel), speaking to reporters at the South Gandaria Sub-district Office in Jakarta.

Fajar added that during the soundproofing installation process over the fasting month, the facility would reduce operations by fifty per cent.