'This year's exodus better managed'

JAKARTA: Despite scores of traffic accidents, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto said yesterday the government had handled successfully the transportation arrangements for this year's Idul Fitri holidays.

"This is mainly due to the public's improved discipline and cooperation with the police," Haryanto said at a post-Idul Fitri gathering at his office.

All services on land, sea and in the air, functioned properly, he said.

Three factors contributed to the success: official and public discipline in preparing the transportation; good coordination and communication among the related ministerial offices; and better traffic management.

The minister said that during the peak season of this year's Idul Fitri holidays, 71,000 homeward-bound revelers and 74,000 returnees were transported on the Java-Sumatra crossing, a 54 percent increase on last year.

"But I understand there are still some weaknesses. We will soon start preparing the services for next year's Idul Fitri with the cooperation of the Ministry of Public Works."

Haryanto said that his office had thanked the public, transportation operators and other related offices for this year's success.

The Idul Fitri death toll from road accidents this year was 41 by Feb. 11, according to the Ministry of Transportation; other reports gave different figures. This year's holiday season ends tomorrow.

There were 187 accidents claiming 114 lives and injuring 360 people during the 10-day 1996 Idul Fitri holiday season. (icn)