Illegal Parking Practices Emerge in Barelang Bridge Area, Batam, During 2026 Eid Holiday

Illegal parking practices have once again been observed in the Barelang Bridge area in Batam during the 2026 Eid holiday period. This activity has been complained about by visitors, who consider it disturbing and non-compliant with regulations.

Several tourists reported being asked for parking fees by unknown individuals when stopping on the side of the bridge to enjoy the view or take photos. However, there were no visible official personnel or signs indicating that the area was a legally managed parking zone.

One visitor, Soekanto, 41, revealed that he was asked for a parking fee of Rp10,000 per vehicle, even though he only stopped briefly.

“I stopped briefly to take a photo, and suddenly someone came and immediately asked for parking money,” he told Media Indonesia on Tuesday (24/3).

He also highlighted the discrepancy between the fee requested and the amount printed on the ticket provided.

“The ticket says Rp5,000, but they asked for Rp10,000. This is clearly inconsistent,” he added.

Based on Media Indonesia’s on-site observations, several two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles were seen parked on the bridge’s roadside. Some individuals approached drivers one by one to collect parking fees without wearing official badges.

Local residents stated that such illegal parking practices often emerge during long holiday periods. On regular days, similar activities are rarely seen, but when the area is crowded with tourists, certain individuals take advantage of the situation to collect unauthorised fees.

This situation is seen as disrupting visitor comfort while also damaging Batam’s tourism image. In addition to potential financial losses, the presence of illegal parking is feared to interfere with traffic flow on the bridge.

As one of Batam’s tourism icons, Barelang Bridge is a favourite destination for tourists every holiday season. Therefore, visitors hope for enforcement actions from the government and relevant authorities to keep the area safe, orderly, and free from illegal parking practices.

Meanwhile, Batam’s Head of Transportation Department, Leo Putra, when contacted regarding this issue, has not yet provided confirmation.

As of this report, there has been no official statement from the police or the Batam City Government regarding the findings of unofficial parking practices in the area.