- istimewa
VIVA – Welcoming the upcoming Eid homecoming season, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inspected and visited Merak Port, Cilegon City, Banten Province on Tuesday. He wanted to ensure the readiness of this port in serving the 2023 Eid travelers.
"So, related to the problems that happened during the homecoming flow last year, especially on the toll road and also at Merak Port. I was here to ensure that the preparations, readiness, planning designs are surely in a ready position," the President stated in his statement after the inspection.
On the other hand, the President has urged homecoming travelers who plan to go home by sea to purchase a ticket online before arriving at the port of departure.
Presiden Jokowi pimpin Ratas Mudik Lebaran 2023 dari Pelabuhan Merak
- Tangkapan layar Youtube Sekretariat Presiden
He urged that all passengers should already have their e-tickets in hand before entering the ferry crossing, "I expect all passengers at the Merak Port to have purchased their ticket online because, as (we saw) last year, those who have not purchased their tickets can cause disruptions,”
Moreover, President Jokowi also asked all of his staff to calculate in detail the planning of this year's homecoming flow, because it estimates to increase from 86 million to 123 million, which means a 45 percent increase compared to last year.
"I hope, the problems that happened last year during homecoming flow, such as congestion in the Upper Cikuasa and Lower Cikuasa will not happen again this year," President Jokowi expected.
