JP/5/MUDIK

JP/5/MUDIK

Police good buddies say ten-niner to Surabaya motorcycle convoys

Indra Harsaputra
The Jakarta Post/Surabaya

Iksan, a bank employee in Surabaya, was elated when he heard the
news on the radio that the police would provide escorts for
homeward-bound motorcyclists during the Idul Fitri exodus. He
picked up the telephone and immediately registered to join one of
the convoys. "It feels like we're getting an escort like big-wig
state officials," he told The Jakarta Post at his office on Jl.
Ahmad Yani in Surabaya.

He said that police escorts were important for ensuring the
safety and security of motorcyclists on their way home.

The country's roads become even more dangerous than normal
around this time of year, with many motorists apparently losing
all rationality. As a result, fatal accidents on the highways are
legion. In addition, the crime rate during Idul Fitri is usually
higher than normal.

Iksan related how he, his wife and his child were threatened
with a sickle by a group of muggers during their trip home last
year. The muggers escaped with his wife's jewelry.

"We were lucky that our motorcycle was not taken. It was 11
a.m. and there were a lot of vehicles passing by," he said.

"I immediately reported the robbery but the police never found
the muggers," he added.

Iksan expressed that hope that during this year's Idul Fitri
exodus the police would be able to reduce crime, and one of the
ways this could be done was to provide escorts for homeward-bound
motorcyclists.

"I hope the news is not just a promise by the police. To earn
the respect of the public, they must be sincere in ensuring
people's safety and security during Idul Fitri," said Iksan.

Peni, a member of the marketing staff in a company producing
snacks in Sidoarjo, expressed a similar opinion. The provision of
free escorts by the Surabaya Traffic Police would be a form of
public service, and would be particularly beneficial during the
Idul Fitri exodus.

"I hope it will actually turn out to be as good as it sounds,"
she said rather skeptically.

Surabaya Traffic Police chief, Adj. Sr. Comr. Royke Lumowa,
said that his unit would provide escorts for motorcyclists by
forming 10 mobile patrol units consisting of 20 traffic police
officers on motorcycles.

"We will establish escort posts at a number of police
stations, which will be in operation three days prior to Idul
Fitri," he told reporters on Tuesday.

For those requiring police escorts, they would only have to
name a coordinator who would then submit his identity card and
driving license to the police, and state the number of
participants and their motorcycle registration numbers. He would
also have to state the time of departure so that the police could
arrange an escort. "We will only provide escorts for groups of
100 motorcycles at a minimum," he said.

Royke added that the escorts would be provided from the point
of departure to the final destination.

Each group would be escorted by two outriders, one in front
and the other at the rear. The outriders would continue with the
convoy until the border with the next police jurisdiction, when
officers from that police unit would take over.

Jombang-bound travelers, for instance, would only be escorted
by Surabaya Police officers as far as Balongbendo, Sidoarjo.

"From Balongbendo, the Mojokerto Traffic Police will take over
and accompany the convoy to the next police jurisdiction," said
Royke. "As part of the escort service, we will involve the
subdistrict police to provide security along the routes traversed
by the homeward-bound travelers," he said.

Separately, the East Java Provincial Police have issued a
regulation stipulating that a maximum number of two people will
be allowed on one motorcycle. Violators of the regulation will be
fined.

Some people have criticized the regulation as it means that a
husband, his wife and his child will be unable to return home on
one motorcycle.

"For those bringing along their wives and children, they are
advised to use public transportation for safety reasons," said
Royke.