143.9 Million People Expected to Travel Home for Eid, Deputy Interior Minister Urges Regional Governments to Prepare

Public mobility during this year’s Eid season travel period is predicted to increase significantly. Approximately 143.9 million people, or 50.8 per cent of Indonesia’s total population, are estimated to undertake journeys during the 2026 Eid season.

In response, Deputy Interior Minister (Wamendagri) Akhmad Wiyagus has called on regional governments (Pemda) to anticipate the increased public mobility during the 2026 Eid season travel period. This measure is necessary to ensure smooth and safe movement, with travel predicted to increase from 16 March 2026 onwards.

Regional governments have also been instructed to ensure the readiness of infrastructure and transport modes, both land and sea, in accordance with their respective authorities.

“Regional governments have been emphasised on the importance of continued oversight of maritime, river and lake transport operations,” said Wiyagus in a written statement on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

According to him, the smooth flow of travel is also closely related to efforts to maintain food price stability for the public. He noted that high public mobility occurring simultaneously has the potential to affect logistics distribution.

Consequently, regional governments have been asked to anticipate potential distribution disruptions, particularly in areas that serve as main travel routes and logistics distribution hubs.

On this occasion, Wiyagus also reminded regional officials of Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian’s directive through a Circular Letter to all regional heads to play an active role in ensuring smooth travel whilst monitoring and controlling inflation ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH.

“The Minister has emphasised to all regional governments, provinces and regencies/cities, to maintain food price stability, ensure the availability of staple foods and facilitate distribution for the public,” he concluded.