THOUSANDS OF IDUL FITR REVELERS BENEFIT FROM 'MUDIK GRATIS'

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 16 (ANTARA) - Around 40,000 Id-ul Fitr tourists are journeying home from Jakarta to various destinations in the country, as part of the 'mudik gratis¿ or `going home for free' programme, which will help reunite the travelers with their families for the seasonal festivities slated for Sunday and Monday.       The 'mudik gratis' programme is run by various companies, government institutions as well as political parties to smooth the Id-ul Fitr exodus, also known as 'mudik lebaran' -- an annual event -- where this year more than 15 million people journey home to celebrate the festival.          For instance, the Transportation Ministry has ferried around 2,000 motorcyclists to their homes on the KRI Banda Aceh warship till date, while political parties such as the Nation's Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) have moved 7,000 travelers, as part of the programme.          Most of the free 'mudik' packages are being offered by business houses. The largest one has been organized by herbal medicine firm PT Sido Muncul, which has transported at least 22,000 tourists. State-owned bank BNI has spent around Rp4.6 billion to ferry about 2,000 travelers.          Other businesses providing similar free services include state-owned pawnshop PT Pegadaian, which has helped around 1,000 people and port terminal operator PT Koja and postal service PT Pos Indonesia, which have carried 950 and 500 Id-ul Fitr travelers, respectively.          Even though the 'mudik gratis' programme was introduced during Id-ul Fitr many years ago, companies and institutions have only started competing with each other in their offers for free travel in the last two to three years.          Companies offer these programs for their own employees, for the employees of their business partners, retail traders and even political party sympathizers. According to internet news portal VIVA News, the government also appreciates the rising trend of 'free mudik' programs.          "The government appreciates their efforts. I will even award companies and their leaders, who have offered 'free mudik' programmes this year, with certificates of appreciation," Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar told VIVA News on Thursday.          The minister made these remarks after seeing off participants of the free travel programme started by PT Holcim Indonesia, in the parking lot of the Bung Karno Sports Stadium.          Iskandar, who also heads PKB as general chairman, said it was heartening to see the growing incidence of 'free mudik' and 'mudik bareng' or 'free return trip' programmes organized by companies this year.          In 2011, the number of persons using motorcycles during the festival rose, and as a result about 70 percent of traffic accidents were related to motorcycles. However, the police are taking preventive measures to ensure their safety this year.          According to 2011 data from the National Police Traffic Management Center, a total of 2,770 accidents took place during the Id-ul Fitr holiday rush, in which 449 people died, 760 got injured, and 1,914 others sustained minor injuries.          Iskandar said the government will also urge companies, that have not organized free 'mudik or mudik bareng' programmes this year to do so in 2013.          "I recognize the generous spirit of companies in Jakarta that are providing these free trips during Id-ul Fitr, so that thousands of people can reunite with their families in their home towns. This must bring great happiness to them," the minister said.          However, bus operators have complained against the growing trend of companies providing free 'mudik' packages for Id-ul Fitr travelers as it has hurt their ticket sales.          Boy Mondo, the operator of the PO Gumarang Jaya bus firm on the Jakarta-Padang route, said bus companies¿ ticket sales have continued to drop each year, because of the introduction of these free trips.          "The number of passengers in 2012 has declined further than last year. Earlier all tickets were sold out a week before Id-ul Fitr, but this year we haven¿t sold out even five days before Id-ul Fitr day. Today we sent out only five buses with 120 passengers," he said.          While inspecting the readiness of the Pulogadung bus terminal for Idul Fitr travelers in east Jakarta, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo also received a similar complaint from a ticket sales agent.          "Mr Bowo, how can you let this continue? The 'free mudik' programmes have cut into our ticket sales, which have dropped further compared with last year," 36-year old Nunung Sulatri told the governor at the bus terminal.          The governor has promised to evaluate the programme, but said he cannot ban companies or other institutions from offering such a service.          The Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) also reiterated that the 'mudik gratis' plan has harmed the interests of public transportation companies.          "The programme inconveniences regular transportation services, because buses used for free services ply on the same routes as regular buses. The government should not allow them to drive on the same routes," Eka Sari Lorena, the chairperson of Organda said on Thursday.          She added that the use of tourist buses for free trips also violates the rules of Organda, as these buses make the trips without a permit from the organization.          "Bus operators of the popular 'mudik gratis' programme should apply for an additional permit to make these free trips," she said. ***2*** (T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A/A014) 16-08-2012 18:28:3