Police chief calls for optimal service during Eid return flow
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said the peak of the return flow was expected on Tuesday, based on monitoring at the ITDC Command Center, according to an official statement.
However, he noted that return traffic is likely to be spread out through Friday, March 27, supported by the government’s work-from-anywhere (WFA) policy, which allows more flexible travel schedules.
The police have also recorded a surge in visitors at major tourist destinations during the holiday, including Bali, Yogyakarta, Pangandaran, Cianjur and the Puncak area in Bogor.
In response, Listyo instructed officers to strengthen both security and public services, including traffic management measures and strategies for key transport nodes such as ferry crossings.
He warned that the number of holiday travelers had exceeded projections from the Ministry of Transportation, suggesting that return traffic could also surpass earlier estimates.
Related news: Indonesia Eid travel surge: 4.41M passengers across 37 airports
Particular attention is being given to Ketapang seaport, a key crossing point between Java and Bali, where authorities expect heavy flows not only from returning workers but also from tourists extending their holidays.
Listyo emphasized the need to maintain the decline in traffic accidents and fatalities recorded during the outbound travel period, urging officers to sustain these gains until the end of Operation Ketupat, the nationwide Eid security campaign.
“This is our priority so that safety indicators remain under control through the return flow period,” he said.
He also instructed personnel to anticipate potential disruptions caused by adverse weather, particularly in eastern Indonesia and at transport hubs vulnerable to delays.
Preparedness measures include adjusting traffic schemes and improving coordination to ensure swift responses to unexpected conditions.
Authorities aim to keep traffic moving smoothly while ensuring public safety, as millions of Indonesians complete their annual Eid journeys across the archipelago.
The police are working closely with other agencies to support efficient mobility, maintain order and provide timely assistance to travelers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
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Translator: Nadia, Kenzu