Traffic Corps Chief Discusses Importance of Smooth and Safe Traffic for Operation Ketupat 2026
The Head of the Indonesian National Police Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas Polri), Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, held an Analysis and Evaluation (Anev) forum for Operation Ketupat 2026. In this forum, he discussed the importance of firmness and direct involvement in the field to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow.
The event, opened directly by Inspector General Agus, took place at the Padma Hotel in Semarang, Central Java, on Thursday (23/4/2026). Attendees included the Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, President Director of PT Pelindo Achmad Muchtasyar, President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Heru Widodo, President Director of PT Jasa Marga Rivan Achmad Purwantono, and President Director of PT Jasa Raharja Muhammad Awaluddin.
Also present were presenters from academia and experts, including Transport Expert Darmaningtyas, Transport Expert Tri Tjahjono, and Professor at STIK Albertus Wahyurudhanto. The agenda was attended by all principal officers of the National Police Traffic Corps up to the Heads of Traffic Police across Indonesia.
In his remarks, the Traffic Corps Chief emphasised that the primary indicator of success for Operation Ketupat is not just vehicle speed, but overall smooth traffic flow, both on toll roads, arterial roads, and port crossings.
“What we measure is smoothness, not speed. This is important to keep public mobility safe and comfortable,” stated the Traffic Corps Chief.
Additionally, security and safety aspects are a primary concern. He stressed the importance of maintaining public order and security, especially during peak mudik and return flows.
“This momentum must be safe. Not only traffic, but overall public security. Therefore, all ranks must go directly to the field,” he said.
On that occasion, the Traffic Corps Chief also highlighted the importance of adapting to field dynamics in decision-making regarding traffic engineering. According to him, the implementation of predictive traffic policing and data-based management is key to effectively managing vehicle flow.
He also expressed appreciation to the Lampung Provincial Police ranks, which were deemed successful in controlling three-axle vehicles during the operation, and emphasised the importance of firmness in implementing such policies.
“The policy is clear; three-axle vehicles must not pass. This must be fully supported for smooth mudik and return flows,” he asserted.
Finally, Police Inspector General Agus emphasised the importance of effective public communication in conveying policies to the public, as well as the role of media and academics in supporting the dissemination of accurate information.
From a safety perspective, he noted a decline in accident numbers and fatalities during the operation period. Additionally, support from infrastructure such as functional toll roads was deemed very helpful for smooth traffic flow.
The Traffic Corps Chief also highlighted the importance of field leadership, where all leaders, from central to regional levels, are required to be present directly and take an active role in controlling the situation.
“Leadership is key. Everyone must go down, from central to regional levels. That way, performance will improve optimally from year to year,” he concluded.
Inspector General Agus reminded that Operation Ketupat is a humanitarian operation that requires quick responses to various dynamics, including density issues at rest areas and cross routes. Therefore, he encouraged all parties not only to focus on planning but also to be consistent in field implementation.
For the upcoming Operation Ketupat, he asked all ranks to be firm in supervision and enforce rules in the field. According to him, firmness is key to ensuring smooth mudik and return flows.
Besides firmness, Inspector General Agus also highlighted the importance of leadership that goes directly to the field, as exemplified by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo. He assessed that the success of Operation Ketupat is inseparable from the active involvement of leaders, both from the National Police and related ministries.
“What is important is related to leadership; this is very important, leadership. So the Minister goes down, the Police Chief goes down, and we all go down, and I believe the Traffic Directors also go down all,” he revealed.
According to Inspector General Agus, the direct presence of leaders can accelerate decision-making and ensure policies are effectively implemented in the field.
He added that cross-sector coordination remains a primary factor for success. However, he said, it must be balanced with concrete actions in the field.
“So it is shown that in 2025 it was already good, in 2026 it must improve, in 2027 perfect, something like that,” he asserted.