President Jokowi Confirms Smooth Implementation of Eid Prayer, Mudik

President Jokowi and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X deliver a press statement, at the Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Palace), Monday (05/02). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, Monday (05/02), said that Eid al-Fitr prayer in congregation has successfully taken place throughout the country, including that was observed by the President at the yard of the Yogyakarta Presidential Palace, also known as the Great Building (Gedung Agung), in Yogyakarta province.

After the prayer, the President told reporters that the smooth implementation of mudik (annual homecoming ritual during Eid holiday) has been secured though there were several minor problems on the ground, namely congestion in Merak and Bakauheni Ports. The congestion, he added, was attributed to high volume of vehicles.

“The volume was so high. It exceeded capacity of the docks and ships. Although we have 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,” he said.

According to the President, around 85.5 million people participated in this year’s mudik on 23 million private cars and 17 million motorcycles. Therefore, he urged the public to depart from their hometowns earlier to avoid congestion during the peak of mudik return flow. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RAS/MMB)