RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - In a historic shift for Southeast Asian urban safety rankings, Jakarta has secured the second spot as the safest city in ASEAN, according to the 2026 Global Residence Index.

Governor of Jakarta Pramono Anung Wibowo expressed pleasant surprise at the achievement, which sees the Indonesian capital leapfrogging long-standing regional leaders like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

"Jakarta, which has always been below Bangkok, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur, is now in second position, after Singapore," Governor Pramono said at City Hall on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The Governor attributed this milestone to the city's ability to maintain peace and social harmony during several major religious and cultural events throughout the year. He specifically cited the successful management of celebrations such as Christmas Carols during the holiday season and the vibrant Cap Go Meh parades held during Lunar New Year.

Furthermore, the city demonstrated its commitment to diversity through the orderly conduct of Ogoh-ogoh processions for Nyepi. The security and harmony were also evident during the torch parades and traditional bedug festivals held throughout the holy months of Ramadan and Idul Fitri.

"Alhamdulillah, this shows the strength of diversity in Jakarta. It has become a showcase and a symbol for the city itself," he added.

Singapore remains the undisputed regional leader, but Jakarta’s score of 0.72 marks a significant improvement in perceived and statistical safety metrics.

The Global Residence Index utilizes a comprehensive set of indicators to determine these scores, moving beyond simple crime rates to provide a holistic view of urban safety. This assessment begins with public perception, incorporating data from the Numbeo Index regarding theft and physical assault risks as reported by residents.

The ranking also analyzes mortality rates, specifically focusing on homicide rates per capita and road traffic fatalities to measure physical security. Furthermore, national stability is heavily weighted through scores from the Global Peace Index, political stability, and major conflict death rates.

Finally, the index evaluates environmental resilience, accounting for both the potential risks and actual death rates associated with natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

By excelling in these diverse areas, Jakarta has managed to present itself as a stable and secure environment for both residents and international visitors. The Governor emphasized that maintaining this newfound status will require continued cooperation between the administration and the public to ensure long-term comfort and security. ***