JAKARTA (Bernama): Workers in Jakarta can ‘mudik’ or return to their hometowns in the Java Island region during this year's Hariray Aidilfitri holiday by boarding a warship, free of charge.
The Indonesian Navy has provided a warship with a capacity of 500 people specifically to transport individuals and motorcycle riders, except for electric motorcycles, back to their hometowns.
"This programme aims to assist the government in curbing the risk of road accidents during the holiday season, especially for motorcycle riders," said its spokesperson, First Admiral Made Wira Hady.
In a statement, he said the ship will depart from Jakarta on April 5, 2024, dock in Semarang on April 6, and arrive in Surabaya on April 7, before returning to Jakarta on April 13.
Meanwhile, nearly 68,000 military personnel will assist around 93,000 police officers in overseeing the movement of 193.6 million people who will be travelling for the Eid al-Fitr holiday - an increase from 123 million people last year.
"In addition to personnel and warships, we are also providing air transport aircraft if needed," said Indonesian National Armed Forces Commander, General Agus Subiyanto.
The Ministry of Transportation has forecasted that the ‘mudik’ exodus will reach its peak from April 5 to 8, with the return traffic to cities reaching its peak from April 13 to 16. - Bernama
