Meeting Koster, Kakorlantas Discuss Ketupat Operation Amid Nyepi
Kakorlantas Polri Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho held an audience with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster at the Bali Governor’s Office on Thursday (5/3). The meeting was held to discuss the readiness of Ketupat Operation 2026, which falls close to the religious celebrations of Idulfitri and Nyepi. “Ketupat Operation is a humanitarian operation. So it is not only in the field of traffic, not only securing the flow of mudik and balik, but the state is present in order to secure the social momentum of the community,” Agus said in a statement on Friday (6/3).
Agus explained that the security framework for Ketupat Operation includes several key clusters: expressway corridors, arterial roads, ferry ports such as Gilimanuk-Ketapang, places of worship, and tourism areas that Bali hosts as a major holiday destination. “Tourist areas are also a focus because Bali is one of the main tourism destinations for people during Eid holidays,” he added.
Additionally, Agus confirmed that crossing arrangements at Gilimanuk Port have been prepared to align with Nyepi celebrations. “The Gilimanuk crossing has set opening and closing times, including the Ketapang to Gilimanuk crossing. We have also received reports from the Bali Traffic Directorate (Dirlantas Polda Bali),” he said.
Meanwhile, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster stated that the Bali Provincial Government is ready to support the security program carried out by Polri because it directly relates to Balinese public activities. Koster also explained that issues circulating on social media about a clash between Nyepi and Idulfitri are not accurate, as the two major days do not occur on the same date. “They do not coincide. Nyepi is on 19 March, with Ngembak Geni on the morning of the 20th. Eid al-Fitr is expected on the 21st, so they do not intersect,” he said.
According to him, regional authorities together with religious leaders have prepared a joint circular with all religious bodies in Bali, including the Majelis Ulama Indonesia. In this way, the regulation of religious activities has been agreed upon. “We have prepared a circular letter with all religious denominations in Bali, especially with the Majelis Ulama Indonesia. So everything is clear and there are no problems,” Koster stated.