Tempo Holds 2026 Homecoming Discussion, Highlights Transport Readiness and Safety Concerns
Homecoming (mudik) is an annual tradition among the Indonesian public in welcoming Hari Raya Lebaran. Ahead of this occasion, public mobility increases significantly. During last year’s Lebaran alone, approximately 154.6 million people travelled.
This scale of movement requires all stakeholders to prepare various supporting aspects, from infrastructure and safety to risk management, to ensure that the public’s travel can proceed safely and smoothly.
In an effort to discuss this readiness, Tempo held a discussion titled “Ngobrol @Tempo Discussion on Homecoming: Readiness for 2026 Lebaran Homecoming” at the Tempo Building in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026. The event was supported by PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (BCA).
PT Info Media Digital CEO Wahyu Dhyatmika said many people are unaware that the Lebaran homecoming momentum is a very large undertaking, especially for behind-the-scenes stakeholders such as Pelni, ASDP, the Police, the Ministry of Transport, Jasa Marga, and various other key players.
“When people return to their home villages and pass through well-maintained highways, use ferries that are well-organised and scheduled, and enjoy adequate public transport facilities, all of this is the result of hard work by various parties,” he said in his remarks.
He assessed that for the Lebaran homecoming to proceed well, large-scale efforts are needed to ensure transport safety, whether on roads, sea, or in the air. This is done so that people who wish to return to their home villages, meet family, and celebrate the holidays can travel safely and soundly.
For this reason, Wahyu said, this discussion is part of Tempo’s effort to help the public understand how complex the preparations of various institutions are in overseeing the homecoming arrangements. “Through this forum, speakers will present various challenges faced, whilst explaining solutions and programmes that have been prepared.”
He hopes that the public can understand various anticipatory measures that have been taken. With open and transparent communication like this, various potential obstacles are expected to be anticipated earlier.
Dirgakkum Korlantas Polri, Faisal, said that the Indonesian National Police has prepared various efforts to provide security and comfort for people who will be travelling for homecoming as well as the return journey. These efforts are carried out through Operation Ketupat, which uses the slogan “Safe Homecoming, Happy Family” and will run from 13–29 March 2026.
“Through this operation, the Police have divided five crucial clusters that must be anticipated in the implementation of homecoming and return, such as toll roads, arterial roads, ferry areas, tourist areas and places of worship,” he said. The Police have also deployed approximately 317,666 personnel who will be stationed at 2,756 integrated service posts.
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Director of Operations and Transformation Rio Lasse said his party has made various preparations to face this year’s Lebaran transport. He mentioned that to date, all teams at various ferry crossing points have conducted final inspections. A Lebaran transport command post will also begin operating on 13 March to ensure optimal service. “And we of course prioritise safety aspects, and also provide maximum service and comfort for service users,” he said.
Rio explained that this year his party is prioritising 15 crossings from Sabang to Merauke, with priority focus on the Merak-Bakauheni Port and Ketapang-Gilimanuk crossings. To support these services, his party has prepared approximately 70 vessels operating on the Merak–Bakauheni route and approximately 60 vessels on the Ketapang–Gilimanuk route.
From a technology standpoint, he said, ASDP is also operating a Port Operation Command Centre (POCC) to monitor port and ferry operational activities in real time. This system is connected with toll road operators, weather monitoring, and systems belonging to the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Indonesia. “So we are trying optimally to ensure that various possibilities that could occur in the field can be well monitored,” he said.
PT Pelni (Persero) Director of Passenger Transport Business Nuraini Dessy said Pelni’s preparations for Lebaran transport began on 6 March. This is because travel using sea transport modes requires relatively longer time compared to other transport modes.
Pelni has prepared 25 passenger vessels and 30 pioneer vessels to serve Lebaran transport this year. All vessels have undergone docking and have been subject to ramp checks by the Ministry of Transport. “So we ensure that vessels are seaworthy for operation,” she said.
This fleet will serve 304 ports with a total of 1,111 shipping routes across various regions of Indonesia. “It is quite complex—Pelni is indeed extraordinary in that it not only calls at major ports, but also connects the 3T regions (frontier, outlying and least developed areas) that we service,” she said.