Government Apologises for Severe Congestion at Gilimanuk Port

JAKARTA — State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi has apologised for congestion causing vehicle accumulation at Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana, Bali, on the route to Ketapang, East Java.

“There were indeed several incidents, and we apologise. There was vehicle accumulation due to quite extraordinary traffic congestion at the Ketapang and Gilimanuk crossing,” Prasetyo said after leading a coordination meeting at the Defence Ministry in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Prasetyo stated that field personnel are working hard to find solutions to ease congestion at the location. The government will continue monitoring throughout the Lebaran exodus period for 1447 H (Islamic calendar).

He also thanked the public for utilising holiday time to return home early.

“As we had hoped, so that accumulation does not occur on a single day,” he said.

“Pelindo, ASDP, and others who have worked hard, including the military, have been requested by the President to provide transport including ships to help facilitate the flow of the Lebaran exodus and the subsequent return flow to respective regions,” Prasetyo added.

The 2026 Lebaran exodus at Gilimanuk Port in Jembrana District, Bali, was marked by vehicle queues stretching approximately 31 kilometres on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

The congestion caused numerous travellers to become exhausted. In fact, 16 people were reported to have fainted due to hot weather and fatigue whilst waiting.

Long vehicle queues heading to Gilimanuk Port were even reported to have reached Negara District.

Vehicles stuck in traffic were predominantly logistics vehicles, private cars, and motorcycles intending to cross from Bali to Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi, East Java.

Parking spaces within Gilimanuk Port were reported full since Sunday afternoon. This situation forced vehicles to queue far outside the port area.

Amidst the congestion, a medical team from the Jembrana Police Medical Unit treated several travellers experiencing health problems.

Head of Public Relations for Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, said that traffic management was being conducted to accelerate queue dispersal.

Additionally, coordination was conducted with several agencies including PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry, Harbour Master and Port Authority (KSOP), the military, Port Operating Unit (UPP), Land Transport Management Agency (BPTD), and the Transport Office.