Rasuna Said Car Free Day Opens, Thousands of Residents Enthusiastic: Jakarta Gains New Icon

The Jakarta Provincial Government has officially opened the Hari Bebas Kendaraan Bermotor (HBKB) or Car Free Day (CFD) on Jalan Rasuna Said in South Jakarta, and it was immediately welcomed with enthusiasm by thousands of residents on Sunday morning. The area, which is currently undergoing improvements, was filled with people exercising and enjoying the new atmosphere of Rasuna Said. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the selection of Jalan Rasuna Said as a CFD location is an effort by the government to demonstrate that Jakarta is continuously improving and preparing a new icon. He explained that the Rasuna Said area, previously filled with hundreds of abandoned monorail pillars, has now undergone a facelift after all those pillars were successfully demolished. Although construction is still ongoing at several points, the high demand from residents prompted the DKI Provincial Government to open the CFD earlier in this area. Pramono also conveyed that the CFD on Rasuna Said will be fully implemented on 1 June 2026, after all construction work is completed. Observations at the location showed thousands of residents arriving since the morning. They engaged in various activities such as leisurely walks, light jogging, cycling, and taking photos in the Rasuna Said area, which now appears more spacious following the removal of the monorail pillars. One visitor, Laila, said she chose the CFD on Rasuna Said to enjoy the new atmosphere with her family and friends. “This area has just been opened for CFD, so I want to experience the excitement besides at HI,” she said. Bayu expressed a similar sentiment, arriving out of curiosity to see the redevelopment of Rasuna Said after the monorail pillars were removed. “Usually I exercise at HI, but Rasuna Said is interesting because it’s being redeveloped,” he said. Governor Pramono Anung previously emphasised that adding CFD locations, including Rasuna Said, is expected to expand the potential for sports tourism in Jakarta. According to him, more and more residents from outside the city are now coming to Jakarta on weekends just to exercise and enjoy the CFD atmosphere. He is optimistic that CFD can become one of Jakarta’s main attractions, especially for communities and running enthusiasts.