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Preparation is crucial
Against the odds, authorities seem to have managed to alleviate this year's Idul Fitri congestion. For its preparedness and timely intervention, the government deserves high praise.
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Traffic clogs a highway onramp in Cikarang, Bekasi, on April 19, as motorists head to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri with their families. (AFP/Bay Ismoyo)
E
very year, millions of Indonesian Muslims take part in the Idul Fitri tradition of mudik (exodus). They pack their things and depart with their families to their hometowns by car, motorbike, bus, train, ferry or plane.
Non-Muslims also make use of the holiday to take a break from the daily grind of the nation’s buzzing major cities, opting to vacation abroad or explore local and regional tourist destinations.
This year’s mudik has been unique, given that for the first time since the soul-crushing pandemic took hold two years ago, everyone has been able to travel and gather freely, without any COVID-19 restrictions.
But there has also been the danger of severe traffic nationwide, considering how there seems to be a collective drive for so-called “revenge travel” after long periods away from family and friends.
As most Indonesians residing in cities are transplants, an unprecedented pile-up seemed almost inevitable.
This year, the government predicted that a record-breaking 123.8 million people would be traveling over Idul Fitri. More than 60 percent of these travelers, around 77.3 million, would come from the island of Java alone.
Against the odds, however, authorities seem to have managed to alleviate the expected congestion. For its preparedness and timely intervention, the government deserves high praise.
