Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government should apologize for bad services during this year`s Idul Fitri exodus locally known as "mudik", Yudi Widiana Adia, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR RI)`s Commission V, said.

The quality of services provided by the government this year was worse than the previous years, in terms of security, convenience and safety, he said here on Thursday in a working meeting with the transportation ministry`s high ranking officials to evaluate the government`s services for home-bound travelers during Idul Fitri holidays.

The number of criminal cases had increased, and the major one was the train hijacking at Pasar Senin train station. Other cases included hypnotism and muggings on trains as well as public buses.

This year`s Idul Fitri exodus was also inconvenient for most travelers who had been trapped in traffic jams for hours, in general more than doubles than on normal days.

The number of traffic accidents in roads and seas also increased significantly. The capsize of Windu Karsa boat at Bone Gulf due to over capacity was of one of the tragic accidents. More than 10 people were killed in the mishap.

According to data of the National Police Headquarters, there were 4,071 traffic accidents this year, a significant increase from only 2,625 accidents last year.

Chairman of the Faction Group (Kapoksi) V Abdul Hakim of the Justice Prosperous Party earlier said at the Parliament Building the 33 percent hike in the number of traffic accidents during the Idul Fitri holidays 2011 was very concerning.

Meanwhile, a total of 710 people were killed during the recent two-week Idul Fitri rushes on the country`s highways, police said.

"The number of traffic accidents from August 23 to September 5 reached 4,259 with 710 deaths," the head of the National Police`s public information bureau, Brigadier General Ketut Untung Yoga Ana, said here recently.

The police had conducted their "Ketupat Operation" to ensure smooth traffic flows during the Idul Fitri holiday season from August 23 to September 7.

During the same period last year, Yoga said, the number of traffic accidents was recorded at 3,296 with 771 deaths so that there was a hike of 1,003 cases.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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