Yogyakarta's Iconic Malioboro Goes Smoke-Free Starting 2025 with Penalties Up to IDR 7,5 Million

SEAToday.com, Jakarta – The Yogyakarta City Government will enforce a smoking ban in the Malioboro area starting in 2025. Tourists caught violating the ban may face minor criminal charges with a maximum fine of IDR 7.5 million.

“Considering that we’ve conducted extensive socialization, this year we will begin imposing judicial sanctions,” said Ahmad Hidayat, Head of the Investigation Section at the Yogyakarta City Public Order Agency (Satpol PP).

The sanctions are based on Yogyakarta City Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2017 regarding Smoke-Free Areas (KTR). This enforcement follows years of education and public awareness campaigns about the ban.

In 2024, the authorities recorded 4,158 violations of the smoking ban in Malioboro. Among these, 36 were committed by local residents, while the rest involved tourists. Violators were primarily given warnings and advised to refrain from smoking in designated non-smoking areas.

To accommodate smokers, designated smoking zones have been established in Malioboro, including at the Abu Bakar Ali Parking Area, North Malioboro Plaza, and the third floor of Beringharjo Market.

The sanctions aim to raise public awareness and encourage visitors to maintain the cleanliness, health, and comfort of the iconic Malioboro area.

Yogyakarta City Satpol PP Head, Octo Noor Arafat, stated that the implementation of the policy will involve collaboration with the Health Department (Dinkes) and the Cultural Heritage Area Management Unit (UPT). Additional awareness campaigns will also target tourism service providers such as becak (pedicab) and andong (horse-drawn carriage) drivers.

In January, Satpol PP, the Health Department, and Yogyakarta District Court will intensify socialization efforts, particularly for tourism service providers in Malioboro. Increased monitoring will also be conducted along Malioboro’s streets and alleyways to ensure compliance with the new regulations.