Tight Security for Takbiran Night in Yogyakarta City, Horeg Sound Banned from Entering

The atmosphere of Takbiran night in Yogyakarta City this year is expected to be lively with various roaming takbir events in several areas. To maintain conducive conditions during the Takbiran night to be held on Thursday (19/3/2026) this evening, police apparatus are taking firm steps, including repelling the entry of the ‘sound horeg’ phenomenon from outside the city.

As is known, the phenomenon of high-powered loudspeakers transported by vehicles, known as sound horeg, has the potential to disrupt the solemnity of Takbiran night. For this reason, the Yogyakarta Police Resort is preparing a special strategy with a focus on surveillance in border areas.

“We will repel them (if there is sound horeg, it can -Ed) to turn back to their respective areas, so that Takbiran night in Jogja City remains conducive,” said the Head of Operations of the Yogyakarta Police Resort, Commissioner Sumanto, on Thursday (19/3/2026).

He said that the potential disruptions mostly come from outside the city area, so they are focusing on monitoring border areas to prevent entry into urban areas. There are 15 surveillance points with a total of around 700 personnel on standby.

This security will last until midnight and continue into the morning for the Idul Fitri prayer implementation. In addition, 273 personnel will be deployed at 122 prayer points, both in mosques and fields. After that, security will be focused on tourist areas such as Malioboro as well as the Grebeg Syawal tradition events.

“At 00:00 WIB, the roaming takbir from Yogyakarta City or outside will be stopped,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Yogyakarta City Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, Ahmad Shidqi, stated that there are 205 points for Idul Fitri prayer implementation prepared. Of these, 153 have applied for implementation on 20 March 2026, while the rest are still awaiting the government's decision.

“There are 153 that have applied for Eid prayer on Friday or following the Muhammadiyah decision,” he said.