First Day of Operation Ketupat: Officers Turn Away Trucks from Merak Port
Operation Ketupat 2026 has commenced to regulate and serve Eid holiday travellers. Vehicles began arriving and filling Merak Port in Cilegon City, Banten Province.
On Friday 13 March 2026, Merak Port was designated exclusively for private vehicles, pedestrians, and buses. Trucks and motorcycles, which normally transit through Merak Port, are now prohibited.
A checkpoint has been established before the Cilegon East Toll Gate. Trucks are directed to the exit and diverted to Ciwandan Port to cross, whilst private vehicles and buses proceed straight and exit at Merak Toll Gate.
One truck attempted to enter Merak Port area but was immediately turned away by attending officers and redirected to Ciwandan Port.
At Executive Wharf 6, private vehicles were seen queuing for entry. The majority of these vehicles originated from the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi regions.
Joint personnel from the Indonesian National Police, Indonesian Armed Forces, and other agencies are prepared to serve travellers. Integrated posts have been established at the port area.
Police Ready Four Ports in Banten
Four ports in Banten Province are prepared to transport holiday travellers headed to Sumatra for the Eid al-Fitr 2026 period. One of the four ports serves as a backup facility.
Banten Regional Police Chief Inspector General Hengki stated that his office has inspected the ports that will transport travellers and confirmed that all four ports are ready to serve holiday-makers.
Hengki said Bandar Bakau Jaya (BBJ) Port in Bojonegara, Serang Regency, is exclusively designated for heavy trucks with three or more axles, or vehicle classes 7, 8, and 9.
Pedestrian travellers and private vehicle owners cross via Merak Port. Meanwhile, foodstuff trucks and two-wheeled vehicles depart through Ciwandan Port.
“The Pelindo 2 Ciwandan Port will serve trucks in classes 5B and 6B, as well as two-wheeled vehicles. Krakatau Bandar Samudra serves as contingency for vehicle classes 5 and 6D; if congestion becomes severe at the southern junction level, we will divert traffic to Krakatau Bandar Samudra,” he said.
Beyond port preparations, police have established several posts along the journey routes to the four ports. These posts will be staffed 24 hours by joint personnel from various agencies.