EN.malanginspirasi.com – Indonesia’s National Police Chief (Kapolri), General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has forecasted that the 2026 Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr) homecoming exodus (commonly known as arus mudik) will experience two distinct peak periods in March, driven by traffic surveys and last year’s real-world data.
The prediction was shared by General Sigit during a cross-sectoral coordination meeting for Operation Ketupat 2026 at the Indonesian Police Science College (PTIK) in South Jakarta on Monday, March 2, 2026.
According to the Kapolri, the forecasts come from joint surveys by the National Police Traffic Corps (Ditlantas Polri) and the Ministry of Transportation, compared against actual 2025 mudik numbers.
“The first predicted peak of the homecoming flow is likely to occur between March 14 and 15,” Sigit stated.
Following the initial surge, the government will implement a Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy on March 16 and 17 to help spread out travel demand. As a result, a second homecoming peak is expected on March 18 and 19.
Sigit also issued a strong warning to all police units to prepare special arrangements for ferry crossings to Bali. This year, the Hindu holy day of Nyepi (the Balinese Day of Silence) falls on the same date as Eid al-Fitr 1447 H, requiring careful traffic management.
“We must regulate ferry crossings between East Java and Bali out of respect for Nyepi Day,” he emphasized.
On the return journey (arus balik), two waves are also anticipated. The first return peak is projected for March 24–25, while the second is forecast for March 28–29.
“If necessary, the National Police will extend operations through enhanced routine patrols,” Sigit added.
Polri Deploys 2,746 Security and Service Posts
Operation Ketupat 2026 will run for two full weeks, from March 13 to March 25, 2026, to secure both the outbound mudik and return flows during Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah.
The Kapolri revealed that authorities have prepared a total of 2,746 security and service posts (posko) nationwide to deliver maximum protection and assistance to travelers.
- 1,624 posts will focus on security, traffic management, information centers, and flow regulation.
- 779 posts will serve as rest areas for fatigued drivers, offering places to stop and recover.
- 343 integrated command posts will act as central operation hubs for Operation Ketupat 2026.
“These facilities will also include rest areas and various services prepared for the public undertaking mudik and balik journeys,” Sigit explained.
In total, police will safeguard 185,608 objects across the country, ranging from places of worship and tourist attractions to shopping centers, bus terminals, seaports, train stations, and airports.
“Stakeholders must be involved to jointly provide services at tourist sites, places of worship, public transportation, toll and non-toll mudik routes, inter-island ferry crossings, shopping centers, and rest areas,” Sigit stressed the importance of collaboration.
