The 26th Southeast Asian Games was held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia on 11 until 22 November 2011.Indonesia's fourth time to host the SEA Games, it last hosted the Games in 1997. Parallel to the SEA Games, the 6th ASEAN ParaGames for physically disabled athletes, begins 2 weeks after the SEA Games ends, with competition to be held in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, Indonesia.
The capital city of Jakarta has been the host of Southeast Asian Games for three times, namely in 1979, 1987, and 1997. Palembang will be the third SEA Games host city that is not the national capital, after Chiang Mai (1995) andNakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Indonesia, or Inasoc, was the organizing body for the games. It was also the organizing committee for the 2011 ASEAN ParaGames. The President of Inasoc is Rita Subowo, who is also the President of Indonesia Olympic Committee, and Rahmat Gobel, an Indonesian entrepreneur and the President of Panasonic Gobel Indonesia becomes the director-general
Indonesian Government Budget of 2010 gives a total of 350 billion rupiahs (± US$38.7 million) for the games, while the budget of 2011 gives a total of 2.1 trillion rupiahs (± US$230 million).
According to Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Andi Mallarangeng, the government of Indonesia added 1 trillion rupiahs (± US$110 million) from the government budget, including 600 billions from the budget for education sector, and fund from sponsorships.
Palembang, the capital city of South Sumatra will be the main host of the games by holding a total of 296 events, while the nation's capital Jakarta will be the supporting co-host by staging 266 events.As the main host, Palembang will only hold 21 of 44 sports, the rest will be held by a co-host city. Palembang will host the opening and closing ceremonies.
Initially, the government had named four provinces as candidates to host the SEA Games 2011, namely Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, and South Sumatra. However this idea has been discarded and host only granted for two provinces. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has suggested two provinces would be enough for Indonesia to host the 26th SEA Games, to reduce operational costs and make the games easier to organize.
The 2011 ASEAN ParaGames will be hosted in Surakarta, Central Java.
In order to prepare for athletes, officials, and visitors during the games, several significant changes are being done in both host cities. Palembang expands its Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Airport more than a hundred percent. Currently the airport is served by only seven airlines and served only three other ASEAN countries, which are Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Inasoc is currently improving the number of flights, especially connecting flights from Jakarta and Singapore to Palembang, and also easiness for charter airflights from other SEA Games participating countries.South Sumatran Office of Transportation, Communication, and Information will provide a total of 40 buses, 100 midibuses, 300 minibuses, and 100 motorcycles for the athletes, officials, and journalists. Besides, a bus rapid transit, Trans Musi, will serve Palembang and surrounding regency ofOgan Ilir and Banyuasin.
Jakarta is served by Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. On December 31, 2010, Jakarta's bus rapid transit, TransJakarta opened its newest two corridors, Corridor 9 and 10. KRL Jabotabek is a mass rapid transit system which serves Jakarta and its commuters. There are currently two mass transportation systems under construction, the Jakarta Monorail and the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit System but there is no sign these projects will be finished before November 2011.
Concerning traffic jam in Jakarta, police will block trucks from the inner city toll road between 5:00am and 10:00pm, just like during the ASEAN summit. Only shuttle buses with certain sticker will allowed to enter the 2 main games in Ancol and Gelora Bung Karno stadium and vice versa between them.
The government of South Sumatra declared its commitment to incorporate eco-policy with the games. All venues during the games will also be free smoking area.
Palembang as the first city outside Jakarta to host the SEA Games is facing some environmental problems due to development for the games.
The Southeast Asian Games's official theme, "Ayo Indonesia Bisa" was composed by Yovie Widianto was sung by Ello featuring Sherina Munaf duet vocalist pop music soloist, making it the second Southeast Asian Games for which he has vocalist was official theme anthem of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. The song "Kita Bisa" was composed by Yovie Widianto. was sung by Dudi Nuno, Dikta Nuno, Ello, Judika, Terry, Astrid and Lala Karmela (credited as Yovie and Friends). A music video featuring the singers and Indonesian athletes was also released was accompanied by Victorian Phillaharmonic Orchestra was official theme song of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. At the closing of the ceremony the song "Kita Bisa" was played just after the torch was extinguished.
The official theme of the event opening ceremony "Together We Will Shine" was composed by Addie MS and Jozef Cleber was performed at the opening ceremony by Agnes Monica from Indonesia, Jaclyn Victor from Malaysia, and KC Concepcion from Philippines.
