Deputy Chair of Commission V of the DPR Calls for Restricting Motorcycle Mudik During Lebaran

Vice-Chair of Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Syaiful Huda, has urged that mudik travellers using motorcycles be restricted. Huda noted that motorcycle mudik accident figures have remained very high in recent years. ‘I note that from 2022 to 2025 there has been a very high presentation, where the mudik accident rate at 75.9 percent is the accidents experienced by mudik travellers using motorcycles. So this figure is very high,’ Huda said at a discussion titled ‘Synergy Between Government and Stakeholders for a Safe and Comfortable Mudik 2026’ at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (5 March 2026). ‘I want to reiterate, 75.9 percent of our accident figures are borne by motorcycle users. The 75.9 percent corresponds to 179,566 mudik travellers using motorcycles. So if you ask me whether this figure is worrying? Very worrying,’ he added. According to him, the potential for accidents could actually be reduced. One way, he said, is to encourage mudik travellers who use motorcycles to switch to other transport modes through the ‘mudik gratis’ programme. ‘But at least motorcycle users who have been taking their wives and children mudik by motorcycle. I hope this can be restricted as much as possible, as far as the government is able, converted to be provided, facilitated using transport, transport modes, free mudik,’ Huda explained. Nevertheless, Huda said the government cannot yet ban people from mudik using motorcycles. He explained that many young people aged 17-25 years old often become victims of accidents while mudik using motorcycles. ‘That figure is 28.54 percent. So, the category includes young people, and we must not jeopardise the future of our young people with accidents, because we are not maximally ensuring they are spared from motorcycle accidents. Since a prohibition is not yet possible, but this requires serious attention from the government,’ he added. Separately, Aan Suhanan, Director General of Land Transportation, said motorcycles remain the mode most involved in accidents during Lebaran mudik. Therefore, the government is preparing a number of measures to reduce the risk. ‘The government has taken several measures; first, we are preparing free motorcycle mudik, both via train and also bus with motorcycles. This is to reduce the number of prospective mudik travellers using motorcycle transport,’ he said. On the other hand, the government continues to urge the public not to undertake long journeys by motorcycle, especially during mudik because of the high risk of accidents. ‘We have also coordinated with the Ministry of Health to conduct checks at places or rest stops we have prepared, especially for motorcycles. There will be health levels; they must rest first, they must not travel further, they must be treated; that has been prepared by the Ministry of Health,’ he explained. Aan said traffic management on the ground will be adjusted to the volume of traffic. He said the assessment will be carried out by the police based on the situation on each road. ‘Correct (there will be traffic management) of course later the police will assess traffic volumes at the segments,’ he said. (amw/eva)