Indonesia is entering a new year without fireworks, and for once the silence feels justified. After deadly floods and landslides struck Sumatra in late November, celebrating as usual would feel detached from reality. This is not about optics. It is about recognizing that, for many Indonesians, the disaster is still part of daily life.
Since late November, parts of Sumatra have been struggling to recover from heavy rain that triggered flash floods and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. In some areas, entire villages were swept away. Families lost homes, land, and relatives within hours. Weeks later, many are still displaced, waiting for repairs that will take far longer than the headlines suggest.
Against that backdrop, the decision to cancel fireworks feels like common sense. Jakarta, Bali, and several other regions have opted out of public displays, while police have discouraged private fireworks. President Prabowo Subianto reinforced the same message in his year-end remarks, urging Indonesians to prioritize solidarity over celebration.
A New Year Without Fireworks Is the Right Call
A new year without fireworks will frustrate some people. In normal years, New Year’s Eve is noisy, crowded, and festive. This year is not normal. Fireworks are meant to mark joy and renewal. Setting them off while entire communities are still clearing mud from what used to be their homes would feel misplaced.
The scale of the damage remains severe. Hundreds of thousands of people are still unable to return home. Large numbers of houses were badly damaged or destroyed. Roads, bridges, and clinics in remote districts were washed out, cutting off access to basic services. For families who depend on farming or small trade, the loss goes beyond buildings. It means lost income and uncertain months ahead.
The government has started rebuilding infrastructure and preparing large recovery budgets. Officials speak of normal conditions returning within months. That may be true for some towns. For rural villages, recovery will be slower and uneven. Children are missing school. Health services remain stretched. Temporary shelters are not a solution, only a stopgap.
This is why the national response matters. Scaling back celebrations is not performative. It is a reminder that Sumatra’s disaster is not a regional issue to be forgotten once the rain stops. It is a national burden that will linger into the new year.
As 2026 begins, the absence of fireworks will feel strange. But that quiet carries weight. It reflects a country choosing to pause, acknowledge loss, and show restraint… at least for one night.
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