The JNF this year will be made different than last year. There will be surprises, but we cannot tell it now

The city administration through Jakarta Tourism and Culture Department is scheduled to prepare a few surprises in the Jakarta Night Festival (JNF) to welcome the peak of New Year's Eve celebration in Jakarta. Yet, its implementation will not be held until HI Roundabout. 

According to Arie Budhiman, Head of Jakarta Tourism and Culture Department, the JNF was planned to be staged in the National Monument (Monas), Jalan Merdeka and Jalan Raya Sarinah-Thamrin. As previous year, the event would be enlivened with entertainment stages and culinary tour.

"The JNF this year will be made different than last year. There will be surprises, but we cannot tell it now," he said, Monday (11/10).

Budhiman added, prior to JNF, his sub-department also plans to hold Jakjazz on November 27-December 7 and Jakarta Music Festival where its schedule is still under discussion.

"Jakjazz will be staged in public open spaces such as Ayodya Park, Menteng Park, TIM, Santa Market and Tanah Abang Market," he exclaimed.

He explained the JNF is no longer held until HI Roundabout because there is still a project of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) along protocol road.

"We don't want to take risks," he exclaimed.

He assessed, in MRT project location, there are many heavy equipments that could endanger the JNF visitors. In addition, the roads near the area are also narrowing due to MRT project.

"That's why, we do not hold the JNF until HI Roundabout," he finished.