Transportation Minister Admits Trouble in Homecoming at Merak Port

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Minister (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi acknowledged that the implementation of the homecoming (mudik) system at the Merak Port continues to face problems. At least, there are two issues that need to be evaluated.

"It's true what Pak Jokowi said, there are a few issues at Merak," said Budi Karya when met during the Eid al-Fitr 2024 Halal Bihalal event at the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), Wednesday, March 10, 2024. "Suddenly, there was a 65 percent increase [in passengers]. 38 percent of them didn't buy tickets, but joined the queue [to enter the ship]."

In response to these problems, Budi Karya claimed there was an alternative by moving the homecomers who did not have tickets to the Ciwandan Port. However, Budi said that they refused. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation also discovered that there were brokers selling tickets to the homecomers.

However, from these cases, Budi Karya claimed to have found ways to mitigate the issue. "First, Ferizy must be obliged to buy tickets online," said Budi Karya.

Second, changing the way ships operate when there is a long queue. He said loading and unloading of goods are not carried out at Merak or Bakauheni to speed up the ship's travel time.

Furthermore, Budi Karya said that there were additional ships. "There are two large ships at the Panjang Port and Ciwandan Port as well, so people don't need to go to Bakauheni. They can directly board the ship at Panjang. That solves it," said Budi Karya.

Previously, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi also said that the management of the homecoming flow at the Merak Port needs to be handled specifically.

"Especially related to those riding motorcycles at Ciwandan. I asked the Minister of Transportation for an explanation, and solutions have been found," said Jokowi after inspecting Pasar Senen Station in Central Jakarta on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Long queues of vehicles heading to the Merak Port reached 1 kilometer before the Merak Toll Gate on the H-4 of Eid al-Fitr 2024, Saturday, April 5, 2024. Minister of Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy, in Cilegon, Banten, said that the mudik at the Ciwandan Port would be noted for evaluation next year.

According to Muhadjir, many mudik travelers fainted due to the hot weather and long queues before boarding the ship. "We will take note of this for next year. Maybe we will provide cooling systems so it won't be too hot," said Muhadjir after monitoring the Ciwandan Port, Cilegon, Banten, Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Muhadjir said that the queue of vehicles at the Ciwandan Port lasted up to 5 hours due to the increase in vehicle volume by 65 percent compared to last year.

RIRI RAHAYU | DANIEL A. FAJRI

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