National Police Chief Describes Homecoming Travel as Boosting Regional Economy

Batam — Indonesia’s National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has stated that the Eid holiday homecoming exodus significantly stimulates regional economies.

According to him, the success of securing the mudik (homecoming) period is not merely about travel safety, but directly influences economic activity in the regions. During the 2025 homecoming period, approximately IDR137 trillion in money circulation flowed from urban centres to the regions.

“We hope the security operations for Operation Ketupat 2026 proceed optimally so that the multiplier effect for regional economies becomes even greater,” Sigit said during a coordination meeting for Operation Ketupat 2026 at PTIK Building, Jakarta, on Monday.

The four-star general outlined findings from surveys of homecoming routes, which identified several issues requiring immediate attention ahead of the peak travel period.

One key concern is the Trans Java Toll Road and the coastal highway, which still have several bottleneck points that risk causing severe congestion.

Additionally, he stated, the readiness of functional toll routes remains an issue. These routes are planned to be utilised as alternatives to alleviate congestion, though safety standards must remain a priority.

He noted that optimising functional toll routes is important given the expected increase in vehicle volumes during the homecoming period compared to the previous year.

“The remaining time before Eid will be used to improve congestion-prone areas, enhance security measures, and ensure the readiness of transportation infrastructure and facilities,” Sigit said.