'Mudik' Ban; Government Asked to Provide Compensations
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28 March 2020 11:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of advocacy and society of Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) Djoko Setijowarno asks the government to prepare several things before officially ban the Eid exodus or Mudik amid the coronavirus pandemic. He views that procuring staple foods’ vouchers for the people is important, especially for those who have registered for free homecoming trip.
"The budget of the free mudik can be reallocated into staple’s vouchers for Lebaran (Eid al-Fitr)," Djoko said in a written statement on Friday, March 27.
According to Djoko, the government may collaborate with businesses to ease the mechanism of redeeming the voucher.
Secondly, the government also needs to relief the cost of cellular phone bill or internet connection. Therefore, the people can contact their families at their hometowns through video calls.
As for the public transportation crews, the government should prepare incentives or compensation as their business is forced to stop temporarily due to the policy.
Lastly, Djoko continues, the government must be aware of the surge of private vehicles use, especially motorcycle, for mudik. He views that the police have the authorities to control the traffic during the mass exodus by setting regulations and the penalty if there is any violations.
Transportation Ministry has previously talked of scenarios regarding the ban of the upcoming Eid exodus. It set few policies to be applied by land, water, and air transportations.
Meanwhile, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo will discuss the mudik ban on Monday, March 30, and see the best decision to take amid the coronavirus pandemic.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA