Tangerang Restricts Restaurant Hours During Ramadan as Legislator Invokes Tolerance

The Tangerang Regency government has banned food stalls and restaurants from operating outside the hours of 4pm to 4am during the month of Ramadan. Ahmad Irawan, a member of House of Representatives Commission II from the Golkar Party faction, described the measure as an expression of inter-religious tolerance.

“In my view, this restriction policy is nothing new. Every Ramadan, it has been agreed upon and implemented by respective local governments,” Irawan told reporters on Friday (20 February 2026).

“In truth, our society already understands the meaning of tolerance and has long lived side by side in practising their respective faiths. Tolerance has become a national consciousness and serves as an unwritten law at the heart of our communal, national and civic life,” he added.

Irawan said business operators naturally understand that such regulations are routinely enforced every year.

“So whether or not these restrictions are in place, the public and business operators already understand what they need to do during Ramadan,” he said.

Previously, the Tangerang Regency government had established a policy restricting the operating hours of nightlife entertainment venues as well as restaurants and cafes during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. The policy was described as a routine annual measure.

The regulations on operating hour restrictions were issued through a local government circular letter agreed upon by all members of the Tangerang Regency Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda). Among the provisions, restaurants and eateries are permitted to open from 4pm to 4am Western Indonesian Time.

“For restaurants and eateries, we have determined that they may open from 4pm WIB until 4am. Outside those hours, they are prohibited from operating,” said Tangerang Regent Moch Maesyal Rasyid following a coordination meeting with the Forkopimda, as reported on Thursday (19 February 2026).