Further Instructions on ‘Mudik’ Ban Waited

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Illustration: The atmosphere of controlling the Idul Fitri homecoming at the Palimanan toll gate, Cirebon, West Java Friday (22/5/2020).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Regional governments are ready to implement border checks following the central government’s decision to prevent the annual mudik (exodus) from May 6 to 17, in conjunction with the Idul Fitri extended holiday.

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Regional governments are still awaiting detailed guidance from Jakarta.

The mudik ban was announced at an inter-ministry coordination meeting in Jakarta on Friday, as part of disaster mitigation policies to cope with the potentially increased transmission of Covid-19 after extended holidays.

“The ban is applicable to all civil servants, TNI (Indonesian Military), Polri (National Police), BUMN (state-owned enterprises), private employees, common workers and citizens in general,” Coordinating Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said after the meeting at his office.

KOMPAS/PRADIPTA PANDU

Muhadjir Effendy

Despite the ban, the declared May 12 as a public holiday will remain in effect.

While travelers are barred, cargo vehicles, whose mobility used to be restricted during the season, will now be allowed more space in on the roads because of the prospect of sparse traffic.

Cirebon municipal administration, in response to the decision on mudik, looks set to impose border checks for those traveling from out of town.

Cirebon municipal administration, in response to the decision on mudik, looks set to impose border checks for those traveling from out of town.

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Mayor Nashrudin Azis said on-spot arrangements were pending further instructions from the government.

Yogyakarta has also stated its preparedness for the measures, with the on-watch points to include airport and bus stations, besides border area.

Village administrations with their neighborhood (RW) and unit (RT) heads will be reminded to be alerted about travelers to their area.

”If there indeed is a mudik ban, we will be watching more closely than usual,” Yogyakarta administration secretary Kadarmanta Baskara Aji said.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Ministry is working out the implementation traffic screening.

“We will study how the measures can be implemented optimally because, speaking about Lebaran, we have to coordinate with many other parties, such as the police,” Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said during his visit to Kompas newsroom on Friday.

He said the measure analysis would have to be completed as soon as possible so they could recommend it immediately to the national Covid-19 task force.

Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Tjahjo Kumolo promised to issue a circular about the mudik prohibition for civil servants.

Djoko Setijowarno, a transportation expert from Soegijapranata Catholic University, has warned the government against the reemergence of problems. Last year’s Lebaran also saw a ban but return traffic was detected.

Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan

Kun Wahyu\'s family virtually celebrates with family in their hometown during Eid al-Fitr 1441 Hijriyah in Pamulang, South Tangerang, Banten, Sunday (24/5/2020).

The country’s biggest religious organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, as its legal affairs head Robikin Emhas said, pledged its support to the policy given the fact that Covid-19 infection was still high while the vaccination program was still far below target nationwide.

Strict Measures

According to Muhadjir, Covid-19 transmission and death rates had the potential to increase after long holidays as found in the aftermath of last year’s Christmas and the following New Year’s Eve. Hospital occupancy rates also picked up.

Such a situation prompted concerns from President Joko Widodo about the need for strict measures to stem a repeated problem.

In his speech during the opening of the virtually organized fifth National Meeting of the Indonesian Regency Government Association (Apkasi), the president reminded regents to remain on watch. (BOW/REK/NTA/IKI/HRS/NDU/ DIT/RAM/JOL/XTI/DNE/ IGA/RTG/GER/DIT)

(This article was translated by Musthofid).