"Besides National Police (Polri), Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and Transportation Ministry, I also ask governors, district heads, and mayors to directly review and solve the problems," he said during the 2023 Eid Homecoming Limited Meeting at Merak Port, Banten, on Tuesday.
He stressed that central and regional government officials must go directly to the field to check for problems faced during homecoming and resolve them promptly.
This is because the number of people participating in the 2023 Eid homecoming is expected to increase by 45 percent to 123 million compared to 86 million the previous year, he informed.
"Imagine an increase from 86 million to 123 million people. It is not easy to manage. It needs preparation and adequate planning," he added.
Widodo recalled that during last year's Eid homecoming, there were problems related to overcrowding and lack of ship capacity at Merak Port, as well as congestion on toll roads, which were one of the main infrastructures used by homecomers.
"Therefore, related elements in the field must closely observe the condition to make improvements from last year's Eid homecoming. I also appreciate the preparation at Merak Port," he remarked.
The President lauded the addition of a dock at Merak Port, which could help increase passenger capacity.
"There were an additional two docks that could increase the passenger capacity from 34 thousand to 49 thousand," he explained.
In addition, Merak Port has provided a special port for motorcycles, cars, small vehicles, and heavy vehicles, he informed.
"The management at Merak Port is quite good. But we will see the implementation later," he added.
Regarding improvements on toll roads, he said the relevant ministries and non-ministerial agencies have added rest areas so travelers do not crowd one location.
"The number of rest areas will be added for this year's homecoming,” he noted.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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