Parking Ban Ignored, Illegal Parking Disrupts Hajj Pilgrims' Buses

The ban on parking in front of the Jempong Hajj Dormitory gate in Sekarbela, Mataram City, is being ignored. The road shoulder, which should be kept clear, is instead filled with vehicles dropping off Hajj pilgrims, causing congestion when buses enter and exit the location.

The Mataram City Government (Pemkot) has regulated a no-parking zone for vehicles within a 100-metre radius to the right and left of the Hajj Dormitory gate. This rule was established to prevent vehicle build-up when large buses carrying prospective Hajj pilgrims enter and exit the site.

However, the situation on the ground is the opposite. Based on observations by detikBali, the area in front of the Hajj Dormitory gate, particularly within the 100-metre radius to the right and left, is filled with two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles. This condition causes road narrowing and triggers congestion when buses carrying prospective Hajj pilgrims pass through.

“We ask the public to comply with the existing signs so that there is no build-up,” said the Head of the Mataram City Transportation Department (Dishub), Zulkarwin, when confirmed by detikBali on Friday (24/4/2026).

Zulkarwin urged those dropping off Hajj pilgrims to use the parking areas prepared by the sub-district or the Transportation Department.

“We have deployed one squad at the Hajj Dormitory to break up congestion. During peak times at the Hajj Dormitory area, we will allocate more,” he said.

“That peak usually happens when groups of pilgrims enter the Hajj Dormitory. The droppers-off are usually crowded and overflowing. For example, yesterday in the East Lombok cluster, it was very busy, so we deployed more squads,” he added.

Zulkarwin emphasised that his side would not tolerate illegal parking practices, especially in no-parking areas.

“If it’s indeed disruptive, we will certainly manage it. This has also become the attention of the City Government together with the police,” he stressed.

Previously, Assistant I of the Mataram City Regional Secretariat, Lalu Martawang, emphasised that the area in front of the Hajj Dormitory, namely 100 metres to the west and east, must be kept clear of vehicles and traders before the pilgrims arrive.

“The first cluster of pilgrims will enter on 21 April, so on 20 April it must be blocked off. Where the parking locations are, and where street vendors are allowed to sell. Not only the area in front of the Hajj Dormitory that is kept clear, the road median is also ensured to be clear of stalls or traders. We do this solely to pay attention to public safety,” said Martawang.

“We urge the public dropping off pilgrims to obey the instructions of the officers on the ground. For example, 100 metres from the west and east of the dormitory, there should be no more vehicles parked,” he explained.