Operation Ketupat 2026 Launches 13-25 March with 2,746 Posts Established; National Police Chief: Security Must Be Optimal
Jakarta – Security for the 2026 Eid exodus and return journeys is assured to be taken seriously. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo personally led a cross-sectoral coordination meeting to ensure Operation Ketupat 2026 runs maximally.
At the meeting held at PTIK in South Jakarta on Monday, 2 March 2026, Sigit emphasised strongly that all ranks prioritise optimal security whilst simultaneously delivering service to the public.
“Therefore, preparation and security must truly be implemented optimally. The same applies to the service provided,” Sigit stated.
The National Police Chief outlined that the heaviest vehicle traffic during this year’s exodus is predicted to originate from West Java, Jabodetabek, and East Java regions. These areas have historically been major sources of migrant traffic.
“Meanwhile, the five main destinations are Central Java, East Java, West Java, and so forth,” Sigit said.
The surge in vehicles from and to these regions is estimated to be a crucial point requiring extra attention in traffic management and personnel distribution.
To ensure everything remains under control, Polri is launching Operation Ketupat from 13 March to 25 March 2026. This annual operation carries the tagline “Safe Return Home and Happy Families”.
“And this year’s tagline is ‘Safe Return Home and Happy Families’. Of course, we prioritise preemptive and preventive measures and law enforcement, which we aim to keep to a minimum so this truly becomes humanitarian service,” Sigit explained.
A combined force of 161,000 personnel from the military, police, and various stakeholders is being deployed to ensure smooth exodus and return traffic. This cross-sectoral involvement is expected to minimise potential security disturbances and extreme congestion.
“And we certainly hope to truly cooperate maximally for the success in serving both exodus and return traffic,” Sigit said.
During Operation Ketupat, 2,746 posts will be established. The breakdown comprises 1,624 security posts, 779 service posts, and 343 integrated posts.
A total of 185,608 critical locations will receive attention, ranging from places of worship and Eid prayer locations, terminals, stations, ports, airports, shopping centres, to tourist destinations typically crowded during long holidays. Beyond security, Polri has also prepared additional services for travellers.