Police Chief: Potential Population Movement during Eid 2026 Expected to Reach 143.9 Million People
JAKARTA — The National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, announced an estimated 143.9 million people are expected to travel during the Eid al-Fitr (Idul Fitri) 1447 Hijri/2026 holiday period.
The projection was presented during the Operasi Ketupat 2026 briefing at the National Monument field (Monas) in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
“Based on a survey by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, the potential population movement during Eid 2026 is estimated at 143.9 million people, a decrease of 1.75 per cent or 2.5 million people compared to 2025’s figure of 146.4 million people,” Sigit stated, as cited from a Kompas TV YouTube broadcast on Friday, 13 March 2026.
Operasi Ketupat 2026 will involve 161,243 combined personnel from the National Police, Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), and various related ministries and agencies.
To support the migration security operations, the National Police has prepared 2,746 posts comprising 1,624 security posts, 779 service posts, and 343 integrated posts. These posts will function as information and service centres for travellers during the homecoming and return journey periods around Eid.
“The success of Operasi Ketupat is our shared responsibility. Therefore, continue to strengthen solidarity and synergy in every task implementation, together we can realise safe travel, happy families,” Sigit stated.
In his address, Sigit also revealed that the peak homecoming period will occur in two waves. According to government projections, the first wave peak is expected between 14–15 March 2026 and the second wave on 18–19 March 2026.
The peak return journey is similarly estimated to occur in two waves: 24–25 March 2026 (Wave I) and 28–29 March 2026 (Wave II).
“The public is urged to plan their travel times to avoid traffic congestion,” Sigit said.
The figure represents a slight decrease compared to the 2025 Eid realisation of 146.4 million people. “Although the figure is slightly lower than last year, this number remains very large and requires special handling,” Sigit noted.