Jakarta. The longer national holiday and annual exodus during Idul Fitri in mid-June requires the government and state energy company Pertamina to work twice as hard to prevent fuel shortages. This year's holiday season is expected to see 20 million people — up from last year's 18.5 million — travelling thousands of kilometers, mainly in Java, Madura, and Bali, by buses, cars and motorcycles to their hometowns. This will increase fuel demand along the exodus routes by a third, compared with normal days, according to Pertamina's projection. The company's acting chief executive, Nicke Widyawati, said the main pressure points in fuel distribution are in Central Java, where severe traffic congestion is expected, especially in Semarang and its surroundings. The peak in Central Java's fuel consumption is forecast to occur on June 14-16, reaching 6,522 kiloliters, which is 34 percent higher than the region's normal daily … [Read more...] about Gov’t to Prevent Fuel Shortages During Idul Fitri Exodus
Exodus holidays
Faster Idul Fitri bonus disbursement leads to smoother exodus: Govt
The Transportation Ministry is pushing companies to immediately disburse the Idul Fitri bonus (THR) to employees to ease traffic congestion during the holiday’s mass exodus. Head of the communications and information division of the ministry's land transportation directorate, Pitra Setiawan, said on Wednesday that based on past experience, many people preferred to wait until they had received their THR before traveling home. The ministry has predicted that the peak of the exodus this year will be one to three days before Idul Fitri, which will fall on June 15 and 16. Pitra said delaying the disbursement of the bonus would discourage workers from going home earlier and worsen traffic as Idul Fitri approaches. "We have asked the Manpower Ministry to monitor companies that have yet to disburse the THR," Pitra said. Read also: Don’t give Idul Fitri bonus to mass organizations, Jakartans told More than 110,000 cars are predicted to leave Jakarta every day during the peak … [Read more...] about Faster Idul Fitri bonus disbursement leads to smoother exodus: Govt
Kertajati airport ready for Idul Fitri exodus but not haj
Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, West Java, started operating on Thursday. It is the second largest airport in Indonesia after Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and is expected to lighten the burden of Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java. Kertajati airport is located about 200 kilometers from Jakarta. Its development cost an estimated Rp 2.1 trillion (US$153.7 million). Combined with its operational costs, total investment in the new airport will be about Rp 2.6 trillion. Here are some facts about the airport: Location Majalengka is located in West Java, the most populated province in Indonesia. West Java is also home to industrial areas such as Bekasi, Karawang and Purwakarta and a plan to develop these regions into a special economic zone (SEZ) is in the pipeline. The manufacturing industry as well as transportation and warehousing contribute to about 48 percent of the province's economy. However, economic growth has been hampered by inadequate … [Read more...] about Kertajati airport ready for Idul Fitri exodus but not haj
Costly holiday
The festivities will soon begin across the archipelago. Roads are undergoing renovations and new toll roads are being built to facilitate the movement of people leaving their cities of residence for their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri, the much-awaited holiday in the country with the largest Muslim population. In a show of generosity the government has announced a 10-day holiday and unprecedentedly splashed out on Idul Fitri bonuses and extra salaries for millions of civil servants, police and military personnel and retirees that will allow them and their families to join in and enjoy the party. It has cost the government Rp 35.76 trillion (US$2.55 billion) to prove to the state apparatus that the “Ramadhan blessing” is real. Whether the lavish spending will result in better management and an accident-free and orderly Idul Fitri exodus, however, remains to be seen. Last year the government claimed success in managing one of the world’s largest exoduses, citing, … [Read more...] about Costly holiday
News More than 32,000 cops deployed for Holy Week exodus
MANILA - Over 32,000 police officers have been deployed in key public areas across the country to ensure the security and safety of Filipinos traveling this Holy Week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday. The entire police force has been placed on full alert to ensure the availability of responding personnel. A total of 4,546 police assistance centers in major terminals, airports, seaports, and thoroughfares are being manned by 32,637 police personnel. In Metro Manila, a total of 11,871 police officers have been tasked to man public places such as shopping malls this Holy Week. Itching to post where you are? Criminals may be reading - PNP PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa meanwhile reminded officers to be more vigilant in lieu of the 49th founding anniversary of the New People's Army on Thursday, March 29. "There have been no validated reports of terrorist threats in Metro Manila while security forces and the intelligence network are … [Read more...] about News More than 32,000 cops deployed for Holy Week exodus