Tens of Thousands of Residents Have Left Batam Ahead of Eid 2026
Ahead of Eid al-Fitr/Lebaran 2026, the flow of mudik from Batam City is showing a significant increase. Thousands of residents are crowding ports and airports to return to their hometowns for Lebaran 2026.
According to the latest data from BP Batam and the Batam City Government, at least 43,791 people have been recorded leaving Batam through domestic ports during the period from 13 to 16 March 2026. This figure is expected to continue rising as the peak mudik period approaches.
In addition, passenger ferry services have recorded more than 11,000 mudik travellers departing in the days leading up to Lebaran 2026. The main destinations for these travellers are dominated by regions in Sumatra such as Medan and Padang, as well as various areas on Java island.
This phenomenon is not new for Batam. As an industrial city inhabited by many workers from outside the region, most of its population consists of migrants. Every year, the mudik tradition causes a quite drastic decline in activity in the city.
Several areas that are usually crowded, such as shopping centres and main roads, are starting to appear deserted. Some business operators are also choosing to temporarily close their operations during the Lebaran holiday.
Officials from ASDP Indonesia Ferry stated that the surge in passengers has been evident in recent days ahead of Lebaran.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of passengers compared to normal days. We recorded a surge starting from H-10 and it continues to rise approaching the peak mudik flow,” they said.
To anticipate the density, ASDP has added departure schedules for ships and strengthened coordination with various related parties.
“We have added ship departure schedules and increased coordination with port authorities and related agencies to ensure smooth mudik traffic,” they added.
ASDP also urged the public to prepare their journeys well, including buying tickets early and arriving according to the departure schedule.
“We urge mudik travellers not to delay their departure until the peak flow, to avoid congestion at the ports,” they further said.
Although there is a decline in activity, this situation also brings a different atmosphere for residents who are not mudik. The city becomes more spacious and comfortable, especially on main roads that are usually crowded with vehicles.
It is estimated that the total number of residents leaving Batam until the peak mudik period in 2026 could reach hundreds of thousands, if calculated across all modes of transportation. (H-3)