Yogyakarta Bans Ramadan Markets from Using Main Roads
The Yogyakarta City Transportation Department has issued a stern warning regarding the use of public spaces during the holy month of Ramadan. This follows the increasing number of Ramadan evening market activities in several locations during the first week of the fasting month.
Although evening markets have become an annual tradition in various parts of the city, the use of roads must still prioritise their primary function as traffic routes and must not neglect the safety of road users.
“Although there is no mayoral regulation or special circular, the function of roads has been regulated in Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation,” said the Head of the Road Transportation and Safety Guidance Division of the Yogyakarta City Transportation Department, Harry Purwanto, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The Yogyakarta City Transportation Department is directing all evening market activities to avoid using main roads or the city’s main access points.
It is suggested that activities only take place on local roads or road sections that have adequate alternative routes. “For main access roads, we are directing that the road surface not be used,” said Harry.
Harry said that the government still understands the economic needs and traditions of the community during the Ramadan period.
Regarding the legality of the activities, Harry explained that the use of roads for purposes other than traffic requires official permission from the police.
Usually, he said, the organisers of the Ramadan market will coordinate with the Transportation Department before the event begins. He emphasised that the authority to grant permits lies with the police, while the Transportation Department plays a role in helping to regulate traffic if the permit has been obtained by the committee.
One of the locations that receives routine attention is the Ramadan Evening Market area at the Jogokariyan Mosque on Jalan Jogokariyan. According to Harry, this route is still permitted because it has alternative routes so that temporary closures do not completely paralyse traffic flow.
To alleviate congestion, the Transportation Department has placed officers at several strategic points in the area. This Ramadan market generally takes place from 17:00 WIB until shortly before the Isha prayer, and afterwards the function of the road must be restored to normal.
From a safety aspect, the Transportation Department requires organisers to install temporary closure signs and information at every intersection before the location of the activity.
This step is taken so that road users can know the conditions in advance and choose other routes to reduce the potential for congestion.
Harry added that this notification is very important so that the public does not get caught in traffic jams.
In addition to the layout of the stalls, parking arrangements are also a major focus of monitoring.
The Transportation Department asks organisers to prepare adequate parking spaces and strictly prohibit visitors and traders from parking haphazardly on the roadside. This is feared to narrow the space for vehicles and trigger traffic accidents.
Officers in the field are also deployed to provide direct appeals to visitors who are caught stopping on the side of the road without parking their vehicles properly.
To handle large-scale Ramadan markets such as in Jogokariyan and Kotagede, the Transportation Department deploys two teams of personnel every afternoon.
“We urge all traders and visitors to continue to respect the rights of other road users. People who pass near the market area are also asked to reduce the speed of their vehicles in order to maintain safety,” he said.
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