Yesterday, around 30 million people in the Greater Jakarta Area and tens of millions in the provinces of Banten and West Java were affected by a massive blackout due to the disruptions at several power plants on the island operated by state utility PLN.
The power outage occurred just before noon yesterday and power was restored in most parts of the capital around 12 hours after that. During that time, there were numerous disruptions to public services, such as Jakarta’s electric-powered MRT, as well as major disruptions in cell phone coverage. Residents flocked to and crowded many of the capital’s malls, which were among the few businesses that had back up generators and were able to operate normally.
In true Indonesian fashion, many netizens (who still had cellular network) flocked to social media to share their frustrations about the power outage, most of whom used the super viral hashtag #matilampu (which literally translates to “light’s out” but is used to describe power outages in general as well) and resorted to making — what else — memes.
These are some of our favorite memes that kept us sane while we were plunged into darkness.
jabodetabek people right now #matilampu pic.twitter.com/4Mr12lGckP
— si ojan (@fznmld) August 4, 2019
“Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi people right now #poweroutage”
https://twitter.com/rickyava/status/1158024789388226561
https://twitter.com/xximbecile/status/1157928039910522881
“Java: [experiences] power outage. Other provinces: “
https://twitter.com/Maishhaa/status/1158045552803581955
“The +62 (Indonesian) people when the power is back on be like”
https://twitter.com/EmoStripClub/status/1157973514789330945
Earfquake and now massive blackout. government can't hide it anymore there must be kaiju evangelion fighting level shit somewhere but they lie to us
— ardhika setyo (@tyoktweet) August 4, 2019
During the blackout, the MRT was forced to temporarily halt its operation and passengers had to be evacuated out of the trains. But that didn’t stop people from taking selfies underground.
https://twitter.com/adriansyahyasin/status/1157884623528968193
“In the middle of an emergency evacuation, Indonesian people are indeed very chill and they were still able to take selfies. Be safe, everyone!”
This video below shows an MRT train on its way to the Lebak Bulus station stopping in the middle of the track after power went out.
Wow even the MRT has stopped working due to the blackout #matilampu pic.twitter.com/LQAWFNTxI3
— your hoe (@rehanpcpoon) August 4, 2019
Apparently, the massive power blackout has had a positive impact on Jakarta’s air quality, which has been dangerously polluted as of late.
https://twitter.com/kachaww_/status/1158166036375490560
“How to resolve pollution in Jakarta: Using public transportation ✕ Reducing plastic consumption ✕ Planting Sansevieria (lidah mertua) ✕ 19-hour power outage ✓ #poweroutage #poweroutageagain”
Today, as confirmed in a tweet by PLN, certain parts of the Greater Jakarta Area have been scheduled to be hit with rolling blackouts — each lasting around three hours — as PLN attempts to get its power plants working normally again. Hopefully today’s blackouts won’t last as long as yesterday’s, or there will be (more) memes.
