Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian police will deploy more than 89,000 personnel nationwide to secure one of the world's largest annual holiday travel movements as millions of people return to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr.
National Police security chief Karyoto said the nationwide security campaign, known as Operation Ketupat 2026, will run for 13 days from March 13 to March 25.
"Operation Ketupat is a centralized police operation aimed at maintaining security, order and smooth travel flows during the Eid homecoming and return periods," Karyoto told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing in Jakarta on Wednesday.
A total of 89,228 police officers will take part in the operation, supported by the Indonesian military, transportation authorities and local enforcement agencies.
The annual operation is designed to ensure public safety during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan and the Eid celebrations, while also reducing crime and maintaining traffic safety across the country.
Officers will be deployed at key transport hubs including highways, bus terminals, train stations, seaports and airports, as well as popular public spaces.
Security and service posts will be established along major travel corridors to assist travelers, while traffic management measures such as one-way systems, contraflow lanes and restrictions on heavy vehicles will be implemented to ease congestion.
Police will also conduct routine patrols to prevent crimes such as theft, pickpocketing and robbery, which typically rise during the annual exodus.
Beyond traffic management, authorities will also focus on traveler safety by checking vehicles and drivers, enforcing safety regulations and educating motorists about road safety.
"With Operation Ketupat, we hope people can travel safely, comfortably and smoothly so they can celebrate Eid with their families," Karyoto said.
Indonesia is preparing for a massive surge in travel during the holiday period. The Transportation Ministry estimates that about 143.9 million people will travel during the 2026 Eid season.
The majority of travelers are expected to depart from West Java, which could account for nearly 31 million travelers. The Jakarta metropolitan area is projected to contribute around 19.9 million travelers, followed by East Java with about 17.1 million.
Meanwhile, Central Java is forecast to receive the largest influx of travelers, with an estimated 38.7 million arrivals, reflecting the long-standing tradition of urban residents returning to their hometowns for the holiday.
Private vehicles are expected to dominate travel. Government projections show that more than 76 million people will travel by car, while 24.1 million will use motorcycles and 23.3 million will take buses.
Most car travelers are expected to use Indonesia's expanding toll road network, while motorcycle riders are likely to rely on secondary routes rather than main highways.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-deploys-nearly-90000-police-for-eid-travel-surg