Border crossing activities at Motaain PLBN increase ahead of Eid

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Motaain Border Crossing Post (PLBN) in East Timor has recorded an increase in cross-border activities for people and vehicles in the area ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah/2026.

The Head of PLBN Motaain, Maria Fatima Rika, stated in a comment received in Jakarta on Friday that the increase in activities has been noted since H-2 before Eid. The number of people crossing at the departure gate reached 574 border crossings, while the arrival gate saw 612 people.

“The crossing atmosphere on H-2 Eid al-Fitr 2026 was observed to be busy from the morning,” said Rika.

She detailed that the number of people crossing at the departure gate totalled 574 border crossers, consisting of 305 Indonesian citizens (WNI) and 269 foreigners (WNA). For the arrival gate, there were 612 border crossers, comprising 225 WNI and 387 WNA.

According to her, the surge in crossings is driven by the high mobility of the public taking advantage of the joint holiday momentum for Nyepi Day and Eid al-Fitr 2026 to undertake cross-country travel between Indonesia and Timor Leste.

In addition to people crossings, she said, vehicle mobility has also increased. A total of 27 private vehicles departed from Indonesian territory through PLBN Motaain. Meanwhile, 51 vehicles entered.

Not only that, she added, the vibrancy of the Eid holiday is also evident from tourist visits. Her side recorded 263 tourists visiting the PLBN Motaain area during that period.

With the high mobility of the public, Rika said, PLBN Motaain is enhancing services to the community by maintaining the smooth flow of cross-border services.

Rika assured that the operational hours of PLBN Motaain are running normally as usual, from 08:00 WITA to 17:00 WITA.

“All PLBN Motaain personnel as well as immigration, customs, and quarantine services continue to be on standby until the end of the Eid holiday period,” she said.

Rika emphasised that PLBN Motaain is carrying out readiness to anticipate potential surges in crossings while ensuring that services to the public run safely, orderly, and smoothly during the Eid al-Fitr 2026 holiday period.