Deputy Transport Minister Pledges to Investigate Alleged Extortion in Free Mudik Programme in Southeast Sulawesi
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Deputy Transport Minister Suntana has pledged that the government will investigate allegations of illegal levies being extracted from beneficiaries of the free mudik programme using maritime transport at Nusantara Port in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, to ensure the service operates in accordance with regulations.
“We will investigate this,” said the Deputy Transport Minister when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday.
The allegations of illegal levies in the free mudik programme using ferries at Nusantara Port in Kendari relate to the Kendari-Muna-Baubau shipping route.
Responding to this matter, the Deputy Transport Minister stressed that should any irregularities be found in the implementation of the programme, the government will not hesitate to take firm action and penalise those proven to have committed violations.
He stated that the government provides free mudik programmes through various modes of transport, ranging from air, sea, to rail, in order to assist the public in undertaking safe Eid travel.
According to him, all free mudik services provided by the government must genuinely be free of charge as they represent a form of public service financed by the state to support the smooth mobility of the public during the 1447 Hijriah Eid period.
“The free mudik programme covers several sectors, yes? There is the air sector, the maritime sector, the railway sector – the government funds these. If there are irregularities, we will take action and correct things as quickly as possible,” he asserted.
In addition to enforcement action, the government will also swiftly correct any potential violations so that the free mudik programme continues to operate according to its original purpose, namely to provide convenient access to transport for the public.
“It is certain that we will take strict action. If someone is providing a public service but something is not right, we must take strict action,” he said.
Suntana added that the free mudik programme has already reached various regions across Indonesia, including several areas in Sulawesi, as part of the government’s effort to expand access to transport services for the public during the Eid period.
“Recently, members of Commission V of the House of Representatives have also stated that the free mudik programme has already reached areas in Sulawesi,” said the Deputy Transport Minister.
The Deputy Transport Minister further stressed that all government free mudik programmes are provided at no cost whatsoever, so individuals engaged in illegal levying will be strictly penalised to ensure the service is safe, comfortable, and transparent for the public.
It is known that the Directorate General of Maritime Transport at the Transport Ministry has prepared approximately 6,000 free ferry tickets for residents wishing to return to their hometowns via routes within Kendari, Raha and Baubau in Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra).
The quota of thousands of free tickets is being distributed to the public for the mudik travel routes Kendari-Raha, Raha-Kendari, Kendari-Baubau, and Baubau-Kendari.
Previously, numerous reports circulated in Kendari that alleged illegal levies were being imposed on prospective passengers of the free mudik programme by the Transport Ministry at Nusantara Port, located in Kandai Village, Kendari District, Kendari Municipality, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra).
Several prospective passengers claimed they had been asked to pay 12,000 rupiah despite having been registered as recipients of free tickets.