Jokowi Says Traffic Congestion On Homecoming Routes Not A Sign Of Unprepared Government: Too Many Vehicle Volumes

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ensured the implementation of Eid 1443 Hijriah runs smoothly. He said that although he was in Yogyakarta, he also monitored the implementation of Eid prayers in other areas.

"Alhamdulillah, the Eid prayer at the Agung Building, at the Palace, went well, everything went smoothly and thank God we were all able to carry out Eid this year," Jokowi said in a written statement quoted on Tuesday, May 2.

"This morning we also monitored in all cities, all provinces, everything went well, thank God," he added.

Not only that, Jokowi also stated that the Eid homecoming flow was going well and smoothly. However, he did not deny that there had been traffic jams, one of which was at Merak and Bakauheni ports.

Even so, Jokowi said that this traffic jam was not because the government was not ready. According to him, the traffic jams that occurred in a number of areas, including queues in several places, were caused by the volume of vehicles that were not proportional to the capacity of the homecoming support facilities, including the crossing docks.

Moreover, Jokowi said, the number of homecomers currently reaches 85.5 million people, 23 million cars and 17 million motorcycles.

"Indeed, the volume of vehicles is too much, not in accordance with the capacity of the dock, not in accordance with the capacity of the existing ships. But indeed the ships have been prepared, added, from the 30's to 50's, but also not enough. Add two more piers, can only reduce it," he said.

As previously reported, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said there were many shortcomings in the implementation of Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri, including going home. However, he ensured that the government has maximized security so that the situation remains conducive.

"Security, thank God, we are maximizing it even though there are problems here and there," Mahfud told reporters in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 2.

One of the shortcomings referred to by Mahfud is the occurrence of congestion on a number of homecoming routes that are passed by the community. But this is a common occurrence because it is difficult to stem the enthusiasm of the travelers.

In addition, there are also many travelers who do not understand the travel scheme that has been arranged by the police.

"Because 87 million people are not a big number. So it could happen, for example, many people, because they didn't understand the announcement, then at a time that was still closed and stormed to the toll gate, so it was jammed, in Merak as well," he said.

Even so, Mahfud said the government would try to make going home this year comfortable.