Operation Ketupat Musi: South Sumatra Police Chief Ensures Optimal Service for Homebound Travellers

Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 has officially commenced. The Police Chief of South Sumatra (Sumsel) Inspector General Sandi Nugroho has ensured optimal service for homebound travellers throughout the holiday rush and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.

Irjen Sandi Nugroho emphasised that Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 is not merely a routine annual security initiative, but a tangible manifestation of state presence in providing protection and service to the public.

“Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 is not simply a police operation. This is a manifestation of state presence to ensure every homebound traveller reaches their destination safely and every family can celebrate Eid al-Fitr peacefully,” said Sandi on Thursday (12 March 2026).

A personnel deployment ceremony for Operation Ketupat Musi 2026, attended by approximately 1,000 joint personnel, was held at the Griya Agung compound in Palembang. The ceremony served as confirmation of the readiness of the South Sumatra Police, the Indonesian military (TNI), local government, and all relevant agencies to provide security and optimal service to the public during the holiday exodus and Eid al-Fitr break.

In implementing Operation Ketupat Musi 2026, the South Sumatra Police and subordinate police stations and major police commands will deploy a total of 2,361 personnel. These thousands of personnel will be stationed at various strategic points to ensure the public can undertake their holiday journey, worship, and celebrate Eid al-Fitr safely, comfortably, and smoothly.

Meanwhile, the South Sumatra Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya appealed to the public to utilise all facilities prepared during the operation, including service posts distributed along the holiday routes. He also urged the public to comply with traffic regulations and follow instructions from officers in the field.

“We have prepared service posts along the holiday routes. Members of the public who need assistance can contact our officers. Safe travel is our shared responsibility,” said Nandang.

The personnel deployment ceremony was led by South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru, who read out the National Police Chief’s message before all participants. During the ceremony, the South Sumatra Police Chief, together with the Governor, pinned Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 ribbons on representatives of personnel as a symbol of the formal commencement of the Eid al-Fitr security operation.

In the National Police Chief’s message read by the South Sumatra Governor, it was stressed that the personnel deployment ceremony represents a final check on the readiness of personnel, facilities and infrastructure, and cross-sectoral coordination before the operation is launched. This readiness is considered vital given the expected significant increase in public mobility during the Eid al-Fitr period.

Those present at the ceremony included South Sumatra Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Rony Samtana, senior officials from the South Sumatra Police, leaders from the military, local government officials, and the leadership coordinating body of South Sumatra. The presence of all these elements reinforced the strength of inter-agency synergy in providing service and protection to the public during the Eid al-Fitr period.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Transportation, potential public movement during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr period is estimated to reach 143.9 million people nationally. This significant level of mobility demands optimal security and service readiness, including in the South Sumatra region, which is one of the major transit areas for the holiday exodus.

To support the operation in the South Sumatra region, the South Sumatra Police has prepared 73 posts comprising 40 security posts, 26 service posts, and 7 integrated posts. These posts are positioned on major holiday routes, crowded locations, vital objects, places of worship, and points predicted to experience heavy traffic congestion.

Beyond establishing security and service posts, the South Sumatra Police has also prepared various strategies to anticipate potential disruptions during the holiday exodus and return journey. These measures include traffic engineering, freight transport operational restrictions, implementation of one-way systems, contraflow arrangements, and odd-even policies on certain road sections according to field conditions and requirements.

Security is not only focused on land transport routes, but is also strengthened at vital areas, shopping centres, places of worship, tourism locations, and water transport routes through the Water and Air Police Directorate. Cross-functional coordination between traffic, intelligence, detective, field force, and mobile brigade units is also being reinforced to ensure rapid response to any potential public order and security disturbances.

Operation Ketupat Musi 2026 is scheduled to run for 13 days, from 13 to 25 March 2026. During this period, all security personnel will be positioned at maximum strength at various strategic points to ensure the public security and order situation remains conducive.

With the motto “Safe Travel, Happy Families,” the South Sumatra Police, together with the TNI and local government, are committed to providing optimal service and security so that the public can undertake their holiday journey and celebrate Eid al-Fitr with a sense of safety, comfort, and full happiness.