Beyond Traffic Control: Security Posts Urged to Serve as Frontline for Mudik Travellers' Services

In efforts to improve public comfort and safety during the mudik flow, police apparatus are urged to position Security Posts (Pos Pam) as responsive centres of solutions for various needs of mudik travellers. This firm instruction emphasises the importance of a humanistic approach, prioritising empathy in every service. The directive underscores that the presence of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is not limited to maintaining order but must also provide tangible impacts directly felt by the community. Entering the sixth day of Operasi Ketupat Musi 2026 implementation, South Sumatra Police Chief Sandi Nugroho directly led the analysis and evaluation agenda. In his directions, he stressed the importance of a police presence that is not merely formal but truly beneficial to the community, especially mudik travellers. The Police Chief asked all personnel to prioritise empathy in their duties. He assessed that security must not be just a routine but accompanied by sensitivity to community needs in the field. “Security Posts (Pospam) are not just for regulating traffic in front of them but also for providing public information services,” said Inspector General of Police Sandi Nugroho. With the increasing volume of vehicles on the cross-Sumatra mudik routes, the Police Chief also provided a realistic picture regarding potential congestion. He viewed traffic density as a normal occurrence during the mudik flow, but total vehicle stoppages for extended periods must be avoided. To support this, 2,361 personnel from the South Sumatra Police have been mobilised. Field supervision is also strengthened with the use of technology such as drones and digital-based vulnerable point mapping. These steps are taken to detect potential disruptions earlier, including congestion due to spillover markets. The Police Chief emphasised the importance of anticipatory measures, not just responses after incidents. Personnel are asked to arrive earlier at vulnerable points so that potential disruptions can be prevented from the outset. Operasi Ketupat Musi 2026 itself is scheduled to run until 25 March. The Police Chief assured that supervision will continue, including addressing communication challenges in certain areas with support from technology like satellite internet. This step is expected to maintain optimal coordination among officers until the return flow is complete.