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Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has moved to ensure a peaceful Ramadan, issuing a firm directive prohibiting mass organizations, known locally as ormas, from conducting unauthorized raids or “sweeping” operations against restaurants during the upcoming holy month. The move aims to maintain public order and interfaith harmony in the Indonesian capital, a city with a diverse religious population.

Speaking at an event held at the Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa (KGPM) church in Jakarta on Saturday, February 14, 2026, Governor Anung emphasized the administration’s commitment to regional security. “As Governor, I am responsible for regional security, and I will not permit any unauthorized raids,” he stated, according to Indobalinews. He underscored that Ramadan should be a period characterized by peace and tolerance, particularly as Jakarta also prepares for Lunar New Year celebrations.

The Jakarta government is actively coordinating with law enforcement agencies to prevent any activities that could potentially disrupt public order or incite social friction, Berita Jakarta reported. This includes a specific prohibition on Sahur on the Road (SOTR) events, which have historically been associated with public disturbances and clashes.

Maintaining Interfaith Harmony in a Diverse City

Governor Pramono Anung highlighted the importance of inclusivity, noting that even as Jakarta has a Muslim majority, the city must remain a welcoming and comfortable environment for all its citizens. He stressed the need to balance religious observances with the rights and freedoms of all residents. This directive comes as Jakarta transitions from Lunar New Year festivities, observed from February 13 to 17, with the peak on February 17, to preparations for Ramadan, which is expected to begin around March 18, 2026.

“I want to stress that welcoming Ramadan must be done in a spirit of peace and harmony,” Anung said. “We are now in the period of Lunar New Year celebrations from February 13 to 17, with the Lunar New Year on Tuesday (2/17).” He added that starting February 18th, the city’s atmosphere will fully shift towards Ramadan and preparations for Eid al-Fitr, with the government undertaking thorough preparations to accommodate the needs of the majority Muslim population.

Government Initiatives to Foster a Peaceful Ramadan

Beyond the ban on raids, the Jakarta Provincial Government is also exploring initiatives to promote religious and cultural understanding. Governor Pramono Anung has proposed organizing haul ceremonies – commemorative events – to honor prominent Betawi figures and Islamic scholars in the city, Detik News reported. These ceremonies, held during dawn prayers, aim to strengthen community bonds and foster respect for local traditions.

The governor’s directive builds on previous efforts to curb disruptive activities during Ramadan. In past years, concerns have been raised about unauthorized raids by certain groups targeting restaurants that remain open during fasting hours. These actions have often led to tensions and accusations of religious intolerance. The current ban seeks to proactively address these issues and ensure a more peaceful and inclusive Ramadan for all Jakartans.

The prohibition on ormas sweeping activities is not limited to restaurants. The governor’s statement explicitly extends to any actions that could potentially disrupt public order, signaling a broader commitment to maintaining security and harmony throughout the holy month.

What to Expect Next

As Jakarta prepares for Ramadan, the focus will be on effective enforcement of the governor’s directive and continued coordination between the government and law enforcement agencies. The success of these efforts will be crucial in fostering a peaceful and inclusive environment for all residents during this important religious period. The Jakarta administration will likely monitor the situation closely and respond swiftly to any attempts to undermine public order. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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Cairo – The Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) granted the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) its first license to operate a futures exchange for derivatives based on securities listed on the Egyptian market, a move hailed as a pivotal step towards modernizing the nation’s capital markets. The decision, announced in January, paves the way for the formal launch of a financial derivatives market in Egypt.

The FRA, under the chairmanship of Mohamed Farid, approved the license after extensive coordination with the EGX and Misr for Clearing, Settlement and Central Depository, ensuring adherence to international standards of governance and market integrity. According to a press conference attended by Islam Azzam, Chairperson of the Egyptian Exchange, the launch of a derivatives market is a key pillar of the FRA’s strategy to build a more advanced and sustainable financial market.

The rollout of futures trading will occur in four phases, beginning in March with futures contracts on the EGX30 EWI, which tracks the performance of the largest and most liquid companies listed on the EGX. Subsequent phases will introduce futures on the EGX70 EWI, representing small and medium-sized enterprises, followed by futures on individual shares. The final phase will include options contracts on both shares and indices.

Financial derivatives, such as futures and options, are contracts whose value is derived from an underlying asset. These instruments are globally recognized as essential tools for risk management and market stability. Futures contracts represent a binding agreement to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date, allowing investors to hedge against potential losses or speculate on future price movements.

The introduction of index futures, like those based on the EGX30, will allow investors to hedge against fluctuations in the overall market. For example, an asset management company anticipating a market downturn could sell EGX30 futures to offset potential losses in its equity portfolio. Similarly, futures on the EGX70 index will provide risk management tools tailored to smaller-cap stocks.

Futures contracts on individual shares will enable investors to hedge exposure to specific equities, while options contracts will offer even greater flexibility in risk management. Put options, for instance, can be used as insurance against downside risk, limiting potential losses while still allowing participation in potential gains. Call options allow investors to benefit from anticipated price increases with limited capital commitment.

The FRA anticipates that the derivatives market will attract institutional investors, hedge funds, and sophisticated market participants, thereby deepening liquidity and improving price discovery within the Egyptian market. The availability of hedging instruments is also expected to reduce perceived risk for foreign investors, potentially encouraging greater participation in the Egyptian capital market.

However, the FRA has emphasized the importance of regulatory precision and robust oversight. Clearing houses must operate with strong risk models, daily mark-to-market settlement mechanisms, and adequate guarantee funds to mitigate potential systemic risks. Investor education will also be critical, as derivatives are complex instruments requiring a thorough understanding of risk dynamics.

Mohamed Abdel Aal, a banking expert, noted that the establishment of a regulated futures exchange is a foundation for broader capital market development, requiring accompanying macroeconomic stability and sustained institutional reforms. The FRA has not yet announced a specific date for the launch of the options contracts phase.