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Indonesia braces for potential largest Idul Fitri 'mudik' in history
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People rest before they head to their hometowns for the Idul Fitri holiday at the National Monument (Monas) square in Jakarta on April 17, 2023. (AFP/Adek Berry)
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early three quarters of Indonesia’s population are expected to hit the road on the annual tradition of the mudik (exodus) at Idul Fitri next month, potentially making it the largest homecoming journey observed in the country.
Around 193.6 million people are expected to travel home for Idul Fitri, according to a recently issued survey jointly conducted by the Transportation Ministry, Communications and Information Ministry and Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
The estimated figure would be a 56 percent rise compared with last year, when some 123.8 million people traveled to their hometowns to celebrate the biggest Islamic holiday.
According to the survey, the rise of public interest in participating in the annual tradition this year is thanks to several factors, such as the prolonged holiday season, the low number of COVID-19 cases, "family economic situation and weather conditions".
This year’s Idul Fitri is expected to fall between April 9 and 11, depending on the sighting of the moon. The majority of mudik travelers are expected to leave for their hometowns about one week before the holiday.
In anticipation of the movement of travelers, the Transportation Ministry will roll out several policies, including some meant to encourage holidaymakers to take trips earlier to avoid peak travel days. Other moves will be aimed at preventing traffic congestion.
“Discounts on fares [for departures] as early as possible, free trips, discounts on road tolls and traffic management will be aims in places where we expect the highest concentrations of travelers,” Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said in a statement on Tuesday.
