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Peak of exodus to occur Saturday, Sunday as authorities boost security for holidays
The National Police predict the annual year-end holiday exodus will reach its peak in Java on Saturday and Sunday.
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Vehicles use the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road in Bekasi, West Java on May 14, 2019. (Antara/Risky Andrianto)
W
ith Christmas and New Year around the corner, authorities are working to ensure that holidaymakers enjoy a season full of festivities, not traffic headaches and security disturbances.
National Police head of traffic corps Insp. Gen. Istiono predicted the annual Christmas and year-end holiday exodus would reach its peak on Saturday and Sunday along roads across Java Island.
"The peak of the exodus for the Christmas and New Year holidays is Dec. 21 to 22. An operation [to secure traffic] will officially start on Dec. 23, but the police will be ready starting Dec. 21 and 22," Istiono said as quoted by kompas.com.
Istiono said the police, whose annual Operasi Lilin Jaya (Operation Candlelight) runs from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1 this year, had prepared a traffic diversion scheme that including contraflow methods to handle traffic congestion on toll roads across Java.
A total of 191,807 joint personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police and various agencies will be deployed to maintain public order and safety this holiday season.
National Police chief Gen. Idham Azis said the force had mapped out and marked as operational priorities 19 regions that authorities deemed susceptible to security threats. He did not disclose the names of the regions.
"I asked everyone to be cooperative since securing Christmas and New Year celebrations also needs active participation from the public," he said after leading a joint security briefing in Medan, North Sumatra.
Separately, Riau Police chief Insp. Gen. Andap Budhi Revianto said potential threats that authorities were preparing for during the holiday season included natural disasters, social conflicts and intolerance, as well as problems with transportation and food staple distribution.
“We still put the risks of terrorism at the top of the list of [security threats]. Of course we don’t hope for that to happen, but we are ready to anticipate any attack,” Andap told The Jakarta Post on Friday. (dpk)
