Transport Minister urges temporary halt to coin-sweeping tradition on north coast during Lebaran exodus

Cirebon (ANTARA) — Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi has called for a temporary halt to public coin-sweeping activities at Sewo Bridge on the Pantura (northern coast) highway near Indramayu, West Java, during the Lebaran exodus period.

According to the Minister, the activity of searching for coins in the Kali Sewo waterway poses a significant safety risk to residents engaged in the practice, particularly given the substantial increase in vehicular traffic during the holiday exodus season.

“We hope this activity will not continue, as it also endangers those involved,” Dudy said in Cirebon on Saturday.

He explained that during this period, the volume of vehicles on the Pantura route increases considerably, so public activity near the roadway can disrupt traffic flow and impede travellers heading home for the holidays. Beyond delaying holiday-goers, the activity also risks causing traffic accidents.

Dudy urged that the activity should be discontinued, given the potential safety risks during the peak exodus period. He requested that local government and relevant authorities implement preventive measures to ensure the activity does not occur during the surge in vehicular traffic.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi noted that the coin-sweeping tradition at Sewo Bridge has been practised for decades. However, his administration is seeking solutions to prevent the activity during the Lebaran exodus season.

One alternative under consideration, he said, is to provide compensation to residents to dissuade them from conducting coin-sweeping activities during the exodus period. “I’m considering an alternative where we provide compensation so they don’t engage in this activity during the exodus season. At least that’s our initial approach,” said Dedi.