National Police Chief and Military Commander Inspect Merak Port via Helicopter to Assess Mudik Readiness
Jakarta — National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo conducted an aerial patrol to ensure readiness for the Eid exodus and return journey during Eid al-Fitr 2026. The inspection was carried out in the Merak Port area, Banten.
The aerial patrol was conducted by the National Police Chief alongside relevant stakeholders, including Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Pratikno and TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto. During the visit, Sigit directly observed the current condition of Merak Port’s readiness in facing the mudik and return Eid exodus in 2026.
The aerial patrol was conducted to ensure security and service readiness for the mudik and return exodus during Eid for the public. In addition, Sigit and other relevant stakeholders will hold a coordination meeting at Merak Port to ensure the smooth operation of Operation Ketupat 2026.
They will also conduct a direct inspection of the vessels transporting people to their hometowns. This will be followed by the symbolic distribution of provisions to officers, inspection of integrated security posts and disaster alert centres, and direct interaction with mudik travellers.
Disaster Risk Mitigation
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo requested all ranks to anticipate potential disasters that may occur during the 2026 Eid period. This was conveyed by the National Police Chief whilst leading the Operation Ketupat 2026 personnel deployment ceremony at the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta on Thursday (12 March).
In his address, the National Police Chief reminded all personnel that the Meteorological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) has forecast that weather conditions during the 2026 Eid exodus period will be cloudy to heavily rainy. Therefore, he requested all personnel on duty to remain in full alert status to face all potential natural disasters that may occur.
“Special vigilance is required against potential hydrometeorological disasters, particularly in southern Indonesian regions such as Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara,” he said.
“For this reason, disaster preparedness is necessary, including the preparation of disaster response teams, supporting infrastructure and facilities, as well as disaster management measures at the pre-disaster, during-disaster and post-disaster stages,” the National Police Chief added.
Furthermore, Sigit stated that the peak mudik exodus is predicted to occur in two waves, namely 14-15 March and 18-19 March. Meanwhile, the peak return exodus is predicted to occur on 24-25 March and 28-29 March.