Quick Response to Residents' Complaints: DKI Provincial Government Removes Horror Film Advertisements from Public Spaces

The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government responded quickly to residents’ concerns regarding horror film advertisements considered to cause fear in public spaces. The film advertisements, released to coincide with National Film Day on 2 April 2026, drew protests for being too scary and not child-friendly. In response, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government coordinated across regional agencies to follow up on residents’ reports. Through the Communication, Informatics, and Statistics Agency (Diskominfotik), the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government collaborated with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and relevant advertising agencies to directly regulate the problematic promotional materials. Three locations that have been addressed are on Jalan Puri Kembangan, West Jakarta Administrative City; Jalan Daan Mogot Km 11 (Gantung Bridge), West Jakarta Administrative City; and the Harmony Intersection Police Post, Central Jakarta Administrative City. According to the Governor of DKI Jakarta’s Special Staff, Yustinus Prastowo, this swift action is a form of the government’s presence in maintaining residents’ comfort in public spaces. He stated that a total of three locations have been regulated, namely two banner locations and one videotron location. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will continue to monitor the situation in the field and ensure that every community report is followed up quickly and accurately. “We are also continuing to coordinate to monitor the handling developments at other points,” he emphasised in Jakarta on Sunday (5/4/2026). Public spaces, according to Yustinus, must be safe, comfortable, and inclusive places for all groups, including children. Therefore, all communication materials in public spaces need to consider aspects of propriety and psychological impact on the wider community. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will take firm action if similar advertisements are still found. This regulation is expected to alleviate residents’ concerns while maintaining order and the quality of public spaces in Jakarta.