Preventing Crime, National Police Optimise Security at Rest Areas During Homecoming Season
The Traffic Corps of the National Police (Korlantas Polri) has instructed its units to optimise security measures at rest areas during the 2026 homecoming season (Mudik). This initiative aims to prevent criminal activity at rest areas during the busy travel period.
“For rest area security during Operation Ketupat, we have deployed six task forces. We have already communicated with one task force focused on law enforcement and another on legal matters to implement preventative measures,” said Brigadier General Faizal, Director of Law Enforcement at Korlantas Polri, at the Command Centre of the Jakarta-Bandung Toll Road at Kilometre 29 Cikarang, West Java, on Saturday morning (15 March 2026).
Security efforts will also involve local officers stationed at rest areas to strengthen protection for vehicles and travellers. “This includes empowering the security arrangements already in place at rest areas, such as security guards and those already in partnership with authorities,” Faizal explained.
Faizal further noted that contingency plans had been developed to address potential fuel station queues, ensuring they do not disrupt traffic flow. “We have already anticipated this situation, meaning if queues do form, they will not affect other road users. We have also informed the public that such queues are likely to be temporary,” he stated.
Operation Ketupat 2026 is scheduled to run for two weeks, from 13 to 25 March 2026. Authorities predict approximately 143.9 million trips as Indonesians undertake the Eid holiday exodus. On the second day of the operation, 459,570 vehicles left Jakarta, with predictions indicating that 76.9 per cent of vehicles—approximately 3.2 million—have yet to depart the capital.
The vehicles are predominantly heading towards eastern Java, predominantly comprising private cars. Traffic surges are expected from Wednesday 18 March through Friday 20 March as travellers continue their journeys during the peak period.