Indonesia Celebrates Lunar New Year as Government Works to Secure Festive Logistics Ahead Ramadan

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia celebrated Lunar New Year 2577 Kongzili on Monday, Feb 16, 2026 in Jakarta and other major cities as the government worked to secure food supply, transport operations, and energy distribution ahead of the upcoming Ramadan period. The smooth festivities reflected interfaith harmony as Chinese New Year took place days before the Islamic fasting month without disruption.

At Bundaran HI, Festival Imlek Jakarta 2026 transformed the capital’s central business district into a vibrant cultural venue. Thousands gathered beneath the 30-meter Harmony Lantern Walk, an immersive tunnel of light symbolizing hope and unity.

Red and gold decorations illuminated pedestrian areas around the Selamat Datang Monument, while lion and dragon dances animated the evening atmosphere. LED pagoda installations and 3D zodiac lantern displays added a modern technological touch to the traditional celebration.

Governor Pramono Anung officially opened the festival on Friday, Feb 13, 2026, underscoring Jakarta’s inclusive character. “Jakarta will become an inclusive city, a global city, a city for everyone and for all religions recognized by the government, including celebrating Lunar New Year here,” he said.

Beyond the celebration, authorities intensified coordination to ensure public services ran smoothly during the long holiday period. Passenger mobility surged sharply, with PT Kereta Api Indonesia Persero or KAI serving 622,784 passengers between Feb 13 and Feb 15, 2026.

Ticket sales exceeded available seating capacity due to dynamic passenger flows, while railway operations remained largely normal despite temporary water overflow on several northern routes. “All southern Java routes operated normally, and conditions on the northern lines have gradually returned to normal,” said KAI Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba.

Food security agencies also conducted market inspections to prevent supply shortages and excessive price increases ahead of Lunar New Year and Ramadan. Key staples such as rice, beef, shallots, and garlic remained within government reference price ranges, although red chili prices were still elevated before easing.

“Supply conditions are relatively good. Daily deliveries of chili, garlic, and shallots remain steady,” said I Gusti Ketut Astawa, Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization at the National Food Agency. He added that distribution facilitation measures were prepared to curb volatility.

Energy supply was reinforced through additional LPG distribution by PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, which released 7.8 million extra 3-kilogram subsidized cylinders nationwide to anticipate rising consumption. The additional volume equaled around 85 percent of normal daily national distribution.

“We are ensuring additional LPG supply to serve households and micro businesses so they can carry out activities comfortably during the long holiday and ahead of Ramadan,” said Corporate Secretary Roberth MV Dumatubun.

The overlap of Lunar New Year celebrations and the approaching Ramadan period highlighted Indonesia’s social cohesion and administrative coordination. Cultural festivities unfolded alongside steady food markets, reliable transport networks, and uninterrupted energy supply.