EID HOLIDAY BOOSTS SPENDING, CONSUMPTION INDICATING ECONOMIC RECOVERY by Fardah

 Jakarta, 23/5/2022 (ANTARA) - It was a beautiful day when Belibis Island in Solok City, West Sumatra Province, was thronged by some three thousand tourists enjoying holidays with their families a week after the 2022 Eid al-Fitr celebrations that fell on May 2.

Zul Hendro, 30, who offered a horse ride for Rp10,000 (US$0.70) per ride for one person on the island, expressed joy as he could bring home up to Rp800,000 ($54) on that day. He hardly had any customers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the closure of various tourist attractions.

The number of visitors to Belibis Island had continued to increase since the first day of Eid 2022 (May 2), Head of the Solok Tourism Object Management Fauzi stated on May 8, 2022.

Eid celebrations across Indonesia this year were much more livelier than those in the previous two years following the governments policy to relax COVID-19 restrictions, as the countrys COVID-19 situation was under control.

This year, the government allowed the reopening of tourist attractions and the people to travel to their hometowns for the Eid Islamic festivity in a tradition called mudik that triggered an exodus of millions of people leaving big cities for rural areas throughout Indonesia. However, the people were reminded to get vaccinated and always follow health protocols of wearing masks.

During the mudik period, the traffic flow increased by over 100 percent, and the hotel occupancy rate jumped by 70 percent to 80 percent on average during the holiday period in several regions.

In Bromo, Tretes, and Trawas, East Java, for instance, the hotel occupancy rate surged by some 100 percent on average, according to the Halal Tourism Association (PPHI).

LONG-WAITED EID AL-FITR MUDIK RELATIVELY SAFE, SMOOTH THIS YEAR by Fardah

Jakarta, 20/5/2022 (ANTARA) - Millions of Indonesian Muslims were finally able to resume the tradition of returning to their hometowns or villages to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their families in May this year after two years of strict public movement restrictions due to COVID-19.

The government allowed Indonesians to observe mudik or the homecoming tradition following a significant improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Nearly 90 percent of Indonesias population of 273 million are Muslims. This years Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr fell on May 2, with the government granting a longer leave for those celebrating the holiday.

"At least 85.5 million people, 23 cars, and 17 million motorcycles join mudik this year. Thats a lot, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wrote on his social media account in early May.

The simultaneous and large-scale exodus was far from easy to manage and necessitated extra coordination and hard work from several stakeholders, including the Transportation Ministry, the Police, the Health Ministry, and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), to ensure the safety of travelers.

President Widodo, who celebrated the festival in Yogyakarta, assured that the Eid homecoming flow in various regions was smooth.

"I see that everything is going well," he said after meeting Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X at the Yogyakarta Palace on May 2.

To ensure a safe exodus, the National Police deployed 144,392 personnel comprising police officers, military officers, local government officers, and volunteers to monitor and coordinate traffic.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, on May 12 drew attention to the fact that traffic accidents during the exodus had reduced considerably compared to 2019.

Eid vibe returns in Indonesia after two years of restrictions by Fardah

 Jakarta, May 2, 2022 (ANTARA) - Over 200 million Indonesians celebrated Eid al-Fitr in full swing on Monday following the government’s decision to relax COVID-19 restrictions given the significant drop in the number of infections of late.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on April 2, 2022, announced that the government would allow people to go home this year provided they complete the vaccination requirements and follow the health protocols, such as wearing face masks.

As of May 2, a total of 199,346,528 Indonesians have been fully vaccinated out of the targeted 208,265,720.

Indonesian Muslims joyfully welcomed the announcement on the relaxations allowing Indonesians to celebrate Eid in their hometowns and perform Eid prayers in open fields as they normally do.

"I am feeling happy because I can finally go home, after a long time of not going home. Now, I can celebrate Eid in my hometown," Sari Novita, who traveled to Bangka, Bangka Belitung province, Sumatra Island, from Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, Java Island, said on April 28.

The government has set collective leave on April 29 and May 4–6. This means that people have vacation time from April 29 to May 8.

"Thank God, in this year's Eid al-Fitr, we are able to gather with family, meet parents, and relatives in our hometown," the President said on the eve of Eid al-Fitr on May 1.

This is the third Eid al-Fitr amid the COVID-19 pandemic for Indonesian Muslims, who could not celebrate it normally in 2020 and 2021 owing to strict restrictions imposed by the government that banned them from holding mass Eid prayers and from returning to their hometowns under the annual exodus tradition called “mudik” to celebrate the Islamic festival with their relatives.

COVID-19 forces change in Indonesia's Ramadhan, Idul Fitri traditions by Fardah

Jakarta, April 24, 2020 (ANTARA) - The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has forced people all over the world to change their way of life, with many nations imposing a series of restrictions to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

Travel enthusiasts have been forced to stay at home with most airways stopping operations temporarily and many countries and cities restricting entry of foreigners. Meanwhile, students have been told to study at home, and employees have taken to working from home.

Indonesian Muslims, who constitute nearly 90 percent of the country’s population of 270 million, have also been forced to change their tradition of praying in mosques during the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan, which began on April 24 this year.

Normally, during this month-long period of fasting, Indonesian Muslims break their fast at sunset with relatives, friends, or colleagues in restaurants or hotels, but this year, that has been rendered impossible due to many restaurants closing or only serving take-away food.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is also set to change festivities in the post-Ramadhan period, when Muslims head to their hometowns for celebrating Idul Fitri with relatives.

Every year, there is a mass exodus as millions of people leave big cities and head to their regional hometowns for Idul Fitri. This exodus is referred to as ‘mudik’. Last year, around 20 million people embarked on this post-Ramadhan exodus.

This year, Idul Fitri will fall on May 24 and 25. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian Government has banned ‘mudik’ and imposed restriction and sanctions to prevent people from journeying to their hometowns.

TRAFFIC DEATHS FALL 74% DURING 2019 EID AL-FITR

Selasa, 18 Jun 2019 09:43

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah
Jakarta, 18/6 (Antara) - During the post-Ramadhan (Fasting Month) Holiday, most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of returning to their hometowns to celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr Islamic Festival with their families there. As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during the holiday season. The annual tradition is locally called mudik.

Indonesia is the world's forth most populous nation and the world's largest Muslim majority country, with nearly 90 percent of its 260 million people being Muslims.

Over the last few years, the government has encouraged homebound travelers to not travel by motorcycles on their journeys home, since motorcycles are more likely to being involved in traffic accidents. For this reason, the government has provided free rides to many of those heading home for the holidays.

This year, the number of free ride programs provided to homebound travelers by state and private companies, as well as government offices, increased significantly.

The number of holidaymakers joining the free-ride programs reached 511,413 people during the 2019 Eid Al-Fitr holiday season, up 68.54 percent from 303,429 people using free rides in the 2018 Eid Al-Fitr exodus by railway, ships, boats, buses, and planes.

Also, the Jakarta administration provided free rides to 17,427 people during this year's Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan saw off homebound travelers joining the program on May 30, 2019. The Jakarta administration provided 354 buses to bring them to 10 destinations on Java Island. The destinations were Ciamis and Kuningan in West Java Province, Tegal, Pekalongan, Kebumen, Semarang, Surakarta, and Wonogiri in Central Java Province, Yogyakarta, and Jombang in East Java Province.

HOPING FOR SAFE AND SMOOTH EID AL-FITR EXODUS

Senin, 27 Mei 2019 21:56

Daerah : Jakarta

By Fardah

Jakarta, 27/5 (Antara) - Indonesian Muslims, who account for over 85 percent of the country's 260 million population, began observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan on May 6, 2019. At the end of the fasting month, on June 5 or 6, they will celebrate the Eid al-Fitr Islamic festivities.
Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Eid al-Fitr in their hometowns with their relatives. As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of year.
The government has predicted that more than 22.83 million Eid al-Fitr holidaymakers will travel by public transportation this year, up four percent compared to last year.
"Based on the results of our survey, 4.4 million (holidaymakers) choose to travel by bus," Director General of Land Transportation of the Transportation Ministry Budi Karya Sumadi said at a coordination meeting on Eid-al-Fitr transportation 2019 in Bandarlampung, Lampung Province, Sumatra Island, recently.
Of the total travelers, 2.4 million will choose to travel by train, 1.4 million by plane, 4.3 million by private cars and 940 thousand by motorcycle.
"Until now, motorcyclists still dominated Java's northern coastal highway during the homecoming period," the minister said.
Over the last few years, the government has encouraged homebound travelers to travel by motorcycles on their long journeys home. For this purpose, it has provided free rides to motorcyclists heading home for the holidays. Private companies have also been urged to offer free buses to transport their low-income employees, so they can return to their hometowns.
Budi Sumadi said this year's homecoming traveling, locally known as mudik, is themed "Safe and Harmonious Homecoming Traveling" in accordance with President Joko Widodo's directives. As such, the public will feel more secure during their trips. He hoped the Eid al-Fitr exodus will run smoothly and remain safe.

IDUL FITRI TRAVELERS WITNESS SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF "MUDIK" By Fardah

Jakarta, July 6 , 2017 (Antara) - Thanks to good cooperation among government institutions and other relevant stakeholders, this year's homebound exodus of millions of Indonesian Muslims celebrating Idul Fitri Islamic Festivities, locally called Lebaran, ran smoothly and safely.
    Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of going back to their hometowns to celebrate Lebaran. As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of the year.

         The number of homebound travelers this year was estimated to reach over 19 million, up from 17,698,484 in 2016, and from 17,404,575 in 2015.

         To ensure people's safety during the exodus, more than 170 thousand police and military personnel were deployed for Ramdaniya Operation carried out from June 19 to July 4, 2017.

         The Transportation Ministry had carried out the checking of public vehicles' worthiness in various regions, while the National Narcotic Agency (BNN), with the support of local police and transportation offices, had conducted urine tests on drivers to make sure they were free of narcotics. Those measures were considered necessary to prevent traffic accidents.

         Relevant ministries and stakeholders had made their utmost efforts to provide smoother, safer, and more comfortable trips during the post-fasting Lebaran exodus optimally, in accordance with instructions given by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) earlier.

         Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan lauded the sound coordination among the Police, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, as well as state oil and gas company Pertamina to provide services and facilities for the travelers.

         Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi earlier expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all stakeholders who had helped smooth mudik implementation.

ENSURING SAFETY OF IDUL FITRI EXODUS TRAVELERS by Fardah

    Jakarta, June 22, 2017 (Antara) - Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating Idul Fitri Islamic Holiday, or locally called Lebaran, in their hometowns with their families.

         As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of the year.

         Of the country's over 250 million population, more than 85 percent are Muslims.

         This June, an exodus of homebound travelers has begun across Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world, to celebrate Idul Fitri (Eid El Fitr) which falls on June 25.

         The number of homebound travelers this year is expected to reach over 19 million, up from 17,698,484 in 2016, and from 17,404,575 in 2015.

         To ensure people's safety during the exodus, more than 170 thousand police and military personnel have been deployed for Ramdaniya Operation being carried out from June 19 to July 4, 2017.

         As part of safety measures, the Transportation Ministry has checked the worthiness of transportation means for the travelers.  
    In early June 2017, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi noted that only 60 percent of intercity and inter-provincial (AKAP) buses operating during Idul Fitri were roadworthy.

         "In general, we are satisfied with the results of a ramp check, except land transportation in which only 60 percent of the buses are roadworthy," he stated in a discussion on the government's preparations to anticipate safe, secure, and comfortable homecoming at the Transportation Ministry recently.

         Data from the Directorate General of Land Transportation in early June showed that 5,026, or 43 percent of 11,605 buses checked were roadworthy; 1,632 buses, or 12 percent, must be repaired; and 4,947 buses, or 42 percent, were not roadworthy.

LESSONS LEARNT FROM SEVERE CONGESTION AT BREBES TOLL EXIT by Fardah

, July 15, 2016 (Antara) - Vehicular queues from cities towards hometowns during the post-fasting Lebaran Islamic Holiday, or Eid al-Fitr celebrations, are a common experience for Indonesian road users joining the annual Lebaran exodus, locally known as "mudik."     However, this year, "mudik" turned into a tragedy for travelers trapped in over 30-kilometer-long queues of vehicles attempting to exit the East Brebes junction of the new Pejagan-East Brebes toll road, which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on June 16, 2016.     Thousands of homebound travelers had to endure an up to 35-hour-long traffic jam while trying to get out of the Brebes toll exit, popularly called "Brexit," an abbreviation for the Brebes Exit.          The severe congestion occurring on the new toll road before and even after the Lebaran day that fell on July 6 was rather unexpected.           There were varying reports on how long the traffic jam lasted, ranging from 20 to 35 hours. Some drivers claimed that the queues to pay the toll further worsened the situation.          In response to the tragedy, President Jokowi had stated on July 4 that the completion of infrastructure development projects, particularly of toll roads, would be expedited to prevent the recurrence of congestion on the toll road segments of Pejagan-East Brebes in future.

LEBARAN TRAVELERS ADVISED TO EXERCISE CAUTION FOLLOWING WEATHER ANOMALIES by Fardah

    Jakarta, July 1, 2016 (Antara)- Indonesia usually experiences dry season in July, but this year, due to weather anomalies, high-intensity rains have lashed several regions, triggering floods and landslides.

        The weather anomalies, unfortunately, are occurring at a time when millions of people are travelling from cities to their hometowns as part of the annual exodus to celebrate the post-fasting Lebaran Islamic holiday, or Eid al-Fitr, with their families.

        The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has forecast torrential rains that could cause floods, whirlwinds, and landslides during the current holiday season.    
   Therefore, the agency has urged Lebaran travelers to exercise caution while traveling during the rains.

        This year, the number of homebound travelers for Lebaran is expected to reach 17,698,484, up from 17,404,575 in 2015.

        President Joko Widodo has instructed concerned ministries and institutions to make better preparations for a smooth and safe exodus, which is locally known as "mudik."

ENSURING SAFE DRIVERS DURING LEBARAN EXODUS by Fardah

Jakarta, June 29, 2016 (Antara) - Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world, will celebrate the post-fasting month Lebaran, or Eid El Fitr, on July 6.

         Of the country's over 250 million population, more than 85 percent are Muslims.

         Many Muslims usually spend the Islamic holidays with relatives in their hometowns, triggering a massive exodus from the cities.

           The number of home-bound travelers for Lebaran this year is expected to reach 17,698,484, up from 17,404,575 in 2015.

          Of the total, 4.33 million are estimated to use land transportation modes, 3.70 million will travel by ferries, 4.11 million by trains, 910 by ships, and around 4.6 million by airplanes.

        The Transportation Ministry has prepared land, sea and air transportation modes to deal with the current exodus which is locally called "mudik."   
     Some 45 thousand buses, 447 trains with 1,400 carriages, 140 ships and 529 airplanes are being operated to transport millions of Lebaran revelers.

           In fact, the home-bound exodus started on June 24 and is expected to peak on July 3.

          Last year, some 700 Lebaran travelers were killed in traffic accidents, particularly those involving motorbikes.

IDUL FITRI EXODUS IN 2015 SEES DROP IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS By Fardah

     Jakarta, July 25, 2015 (Antara) -- Latest data from the National Police Headquarters revealed that the number of traffic accidents that occurred across Indonesia during this year's Eid al-Fitr, locally known as Idul Fitri, exodus dropped marginally. 
    As many as 2,985 cases of traffic accidents took place, claiming 628 lives, seriously injuring 1,028 people and slightly injuring 3,808 others, according to the police's data.

         However, the number of traffic accidents declined 4 percent from that in the same period of 2014. In addition, casualties decreased 8 percent; the number of people who sustained serious injuries dropped by 0.1 percent; and the number of people who suffered minor injuries reduced by 3 percent.

GOVT GEARS UP TO SECURE IDUL FITRI EXODUS by Fardah

    Jakarta, July 9, 2015 (Antara) - After fasting during the entire holy month of Ramadan, Indonesian Muslims, who account for nearly 90 percent of the country's population, will celebrate the Eid Fitr, locally known as Idul Fitri, Islamic festival, on July 17 or 18 this year.

        Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating the Idul Fitri, in their hometowns with their families. As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of the year. 
    The transportation ministry has forecast the number of homecoming travelers to increase by 1.9 percent to reach 20,002,724 from 19,618,530 recorded in 2014.

          Due to the increase in the number of travelers, traffic jams may possibly occur, and the crime rates may increase

HOMEBOUND MOTORCYCLISTS OFFERED FREE RIDES TO MINIMIZE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS By Fardah

 Jakarta, July 4, 2015 (Antara) -- Most Indonesian Muslims follow the tradition of celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid Fitr, known as Idul Fitri in the country, in their hometowns with their families. 
   As a result, there is an exodus of travelers, particularly from cities to villages, during this time of the year.

        In 2015, the government has estimated that the number of homebound travelers will reach some 20 million, an increase of around 2 percent from that last year.

        While they usually use sea, land, or air means of transportation, some choose to travel by private vehicles, including motorcycles.

        Over the last few years, the number of homebound travelers opting to use motorcycles has increased as it allows for a cheap and speedy commute.

        However, traveling long distances on motorbikes with two or more family members riding pillion and carrying baggage is highly unsafe.

GOOD TRANSPORT SERVICES ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSFERS DURING IDUL FITRI by Fardah

    Jakarta, Aug 21, 2013 (Antara) - The Indonesian people's tradition of celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns with their extended families often creates chaotic traffic jams and claims numerous lives.  
    In 2012, the number of Idul Fitri travelers stood at 15,012,954. Data showed that 908 people were killed in traffic accidents, an increase of 17 percent from figures in 2011.  
    During this year's exodus, police recorded a total of 719 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents, a drop from 908 deaths in the previous year.

Idul Fitri (News Focus) - IDUL FITRI EXODUS SEES FEWER TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS by Fardah

   Jakarta, Aug 12, 2013 (Antara) - The number of traffic accidents across Indonesia has decreased compared with the same time last year, despite the exodus of home-bound travelers for this year's Idul Fitri festivities.

        Some 15 million Indonesians headed for their hometowns by land, air, and sea to celebrate Idul Fitri (Eid Fitr) on August 8 with their extended families.

        To assist with managing traffic during the exodus, Indonesian Police launched Operation "Ketupat" on August 2, seven days ahead of Idul Fitri (D-7), and will run it until August 16, 2013 (D+7).

CASUALTIES DURING 2012'S IDUL FITRI EXODUS RISE By Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Latest data from the Indonesian police has revealed that the number of deaths resulting from accidents that took place during the Idul Fitri exodus this year has increased compared with the number of casualties in the same period last year.
     Some 689 people have been killed in as many as 3,927 traffic accidents that occurred between August     11 and August 21, during which time more than 10 million holiday travelers headed home and later returned after celebrating the festival with their families and friends in their hometowns.

FIRST DAY ATTENDANCE AT WORK IN SPOTLIGHT AFTER IDUL FITRI HOLIDAYS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 24 (ANTARA) - As Idul Fitri holidays ended, civil servants were expected to show up at work throughout Indonesia on Thursday (Aug 23) or face sanctions if they extended their holidays without prior notice.

      This year, Indonesian Muslims celebrated Idul Fitri, the largest and most important Muslim holiday that marks the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, on Aug 19 and 20.

HOMEWARD-BOUND TRAVELERS URGED TO TAKE SAFETY-FIRST APPROACH By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - The police have placing ads along the highways, which read "Give Priority to Safety: Your Family Is Waiting For You at Home", to remind motorbikers and car drivers to drive carefully and abide by the traffic regulations.
     The ads campaign is very relevant given the fact that Indonesia`s roads are prone to traffic accidents due to reckless drivers and traffic congestion. 

FOOD PRICE CONTROL, MARKET OPERATIONS URGED DURING RAMADHAN by Fardah

     Jakarta, July 20, 2012 (ANTARA) - The prices of basic necessities such as rice, meat, and eggs, often run up for no justified reason prior to the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan (the fasting month).
     Food stocks are adequate at most times, but traders seemingly increase food prices in a bid to rake in more profits. However, this food price hike burdens the people and indirectly leads to plateauing of salary incomes.