Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Silaturahmi (Communal Bonds) Visit to Keraton Yogyakarta (Sultan’s Palace), Special Region of Yogyakarta, May 2, 2022

Reporter

Mr. President, how was your Eid prayer at the Palace?

President of Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thank God, alhamdulillah, Eid prayer at Gedung Agung (Presidential Palace in Yogyakarta) went well and smooth. Alhamdulillah, we can celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year. This morning, I also monitored that Eid al-Fitr prayers have successfully taken place in all cities and provinces. Alhamdulillah.

Reporter

Can you tell us the atmosphere when you and the First Lady visited the Sultan?

President of Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Since we are celebrating Eid in Yogyakarta, the first thing we need to do is to visit, to have a friendly meeting (silaturahmi), and extend Eid greetings to the Sultan, Queen, and family. It all went well in a very good atmosphere, alhamdulillah.

Reporter
Do you have something to say to the public regarding mudik (annual homecoming ritual during Eid holiday) or mudik return flow? 

President of Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Alright, the smooth implementation of mudik has been secured. However, there were several minor problems, for instance 10–12-hour congestion in Merak and Bakauheni Ports that attributed to high volume of vehicles. It exceeded capacity of the docks and ships. Although we had increased the number of ships from 30 to 50 units, it wasn’t enough. We also opened more docks in order to ease the congestion.

As I said earlier that this year 85.5 million people participated in mudik on 3 million private cars and 17 million motorcycles. Such a large number. Therefore, I urge the public to depart from their hometowns earlier. Everyone should not depart simultaneously on Saturday and Sunday since it will create congestions in toll and national roads, as well as in Merak-Bakauheni Ports.

Reporter
What is your statement about the meeting with the President and his family? 

Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta (Sultan Hamengkubuwono X)

We had friendly meeting. We did not have political or economic conversation nor talked about urgent issues. It was only a silaturahmi meeting.

As the President has said, we need to control the crowds and traffic, particularly in Malioboro area. I hope travelers who will enter and exit Yogyakarta do not take the inner ring road. For instance, those who travel from Prambanan can go via Magelang or Purworejo. Thus, we can manage routes in the center. However, we will never know the real situation.

We also want to ease congestion for those who are staying in Yogyakarta. It is hard to manage Malioboro area because of the crowds. Residents of Yogyakarta are most likely going to pass over Malioboro if they want to go outside, likewise the tourists. It is hard to ease congestion in Malioboro and surrounding areas.

Reporter
Thank you, Mr. President. Sincerely, please forgive my various wrongdoings.

President of Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Everyone, please forgive my various wrongdoings.

(RAS/MMB)