Kakorlantas Ensures Ketupat Operation in Bali Runs Smoothly Despite Nyepi-Lebaran Proximity

Head of the Traffic Police Corps (Kakorlantas) of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, held an audience with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster. The meeting discussed the readiness of Operation Ketupat 2026, which coincides with the Hari Raya Nyepi moment for Hindus and the mudik flow and Eid al-Fitr celebrations. The meeting, held at the Bali Governor’s Office on Thursday (5 March 2026), saw Koster express appreciation for the visit by Kakorlantas Polri, who came personally to coordinate on security for a number of major agendas in Bali, ranging from Operation Ketupat 2026, Kemala Run, to Nyepi. “I would like to thank you, Mr Kakorlantas, for the audience to convey several planned activities. First is Operation Ketupat to secure traffic during the Lebaran exodus; second is Kemala Run; third is the security of Hari Raya Nyepi,” said Koster. He stressed that the Bali Provincial Government is ready to support the security programme carried out by the Police because it is directly related to Bali’s community activities. “As governor I must contribute to supporting what the Kakorlantas plan is, because this is the programme of the Chief of Police that we must implement successfully together,” he added. Koster also explained that social media discussions about a clash between Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr are not correct, because the two major days do not take place at the same time. “They do not actually overlap. Nyepi on March 19, then Ngembak Geni on the morning of March 20. In the evening comes the takbiran night, because Eid al-Fitr is expected on the 21st. So they do not intersect actually,” he explained. He noted that the regional government together with religious leaders had prepared a joint circular with all religious councils in Bali, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), so that the arrangement of religious activities has been agreed. “We have prepared a joint circular with all religious councils in Bali, especially with MUI. So everything is clear and there are no problems,” Koster said. In addition, during the audience the plan for the Kemala Run in Bali, expected to involve around 15,000 participants, was discussed. “The venue is very suitable and spacious; only some road access needs to be improved. Kakorlantas has also invited the Road Balai (Roads Office) Head to carry out repairs immediately, and I will oversee this,” he said. Meanwhile, Inspector General Agus said the audience was part of inter-agency coordination to ensure all public activities can run safely and smoothly. “Operation Ketupat is a humanitarian operation. So it’s not just in the traffic sector, not only securing mudik and balik flow, but the state is present in safeguarding the moment of society’s social activity,” said Inspector General Agus. He explained that the security in Ketupat includes several key clusters: toll routes, arterial roads, crossing ports such as Gilimanuk-Ketapang, places of worship, and Bali’s many tourist areas. “Tourist destinations also receive attention because Bali is one of the main tourist destinations for the public during the Lebaran holidays,” he said. Kakorlantas also conveyed that the plan to hold the Kemala Run in Bali has full support from the Bali Provincial Government. “What is more encouraging is that the Kemala Run will be held in Bali and the Governor provides extraordinary support. This will certainly be good collaboration so that the activities can run smoothly,” Kakorlantas said. Additionally, Kakorlantas confirmed that crossing arrangements at Gilimanuk Port have been prepared to align with Nyepi. “Gilimanuk crossing has set opening and closing times, including from Ketapang to Gilimanuk. We have also received reports from the Bali Police’s Directorate of Lantas,” he explained. He added that synergy between the Police and local government is key to maintaining security and smooth public activities during Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr. “With good collaboration, the state is present to ensure all community activities run safely and smoothly,” he concluded. The following day, Kakorlantas was scheduled to carry out ‘Polantas Menyapa dan Melayani’ (Traffic Police Greeting and Serving) together with online motorcycle taxi communities, GP Ansor, and pecalang as a form of synergy to maintain security and public order so Bali remains conducive.”